Governor: President authorizes direct release of statistics

Tehran, Nov 17, IRNA – Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Valiollah Seif said permission has been issued by the president for releasing statistics directly. “We asked for the president’s permission to announce statistics in the absence of confirmation.” Speaking at Chamber of Commerce here on Monday morning, Seif stressed that it is the responsibility of the Central Bank of Iran to announce statistics transparently and quickly. “Earlier, release of statistics required confirmation by the president but now the figures are put on the site directly.” Stressing that one of the main calamities inherited from the eight-year administration of the previous government is casting doubts on statistics, he said this occurs at a time when proper achievements have been gained in the statistics sector of the country. He further remarked that the banking system is in need of deep reforms, adding that problems of the banking system should be solved. According to Seif, the Central Bank for the first time is meeting banks individually to solve their problems and set a timetable for the removal of their obstacles during which the banks should settle their problems. He noted that the recession and pressures remaining from the past cannot be removed within 15 to 16 months, adding that however attention should be paid to orientations of the Central Bank as the banking system should be at the service of economic growth of the country./end