Iran gov’t economic achievements outlined

Tehran, Nov 2, IRNA - The current government has increased economic growth, reduced inflation and employment, stabilized foreign exchange rate and restored stability to the domestic market. Saeed Leylaz, an economic expert, added that the government has managed to achieve these economic goals in the past 14 months. This is while some critics claim the success of the government’s initiatives depends on the results of nuclear talks which are underway between Iran and the six world powers. They say if the negotiations fail, so will its economic strategies. The government is not planning to monopolize the economy, noting that the establishment of monetary and financial discipline in the country is the most obvious accomplishment of the government, Leylaz noted. “The simultaneous implementation of the Second Phase of Subsidy Reform Plan, Health Overhaul Plan and reduction of inflation rate are among the government’s achievements,” he said. Leylaz said the country’s economic condition was not predictable in the past government, but the current government has managed to stabilize the economy. He said the rate of investment was minus 22 percent in the year to March 2003, while the figure presently stands at plus six percent. The expert noted that the government has also reduced political tensions and refrained from impulsive acts in the field of economy. “This helped make people reluctant to buy dollars for the purpose of saving,” he said. He put Iran’s oil export in the past government at 700,000 barrels per day, adding that the figure stands at 1.2 mbpd to 1.3 mbpd at present. Leylaz added that the positive effect of nuclear talks on domestic economy is apparent, stressing that all parts of Iran’s administration are engaged in nuclear talks./end