Transactions with neighbors must be pursued as strategy in resistance economy

Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Prov., Nov 22, IRNA – Secretary of Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones Coordination Council Akbar Torkan said here Thursday evening that transaction with neighboring countries should be followed up as a strategy in the field of ‘economy of resistance’. Speaking at a ceremony to honor top exporters of Khorasan Razavi Province, Torkan further noted that in the field of exports which is an international domain efforts should be made to reduce outside tremors. He said given that transactions with the neighbors are less under influence of the dominant will of the powers it should be followed up as a strategy in the field of resistance economy and with an aim of making the economy resistant. Stressing that free zones are bridges for mutual connection with the neighbors, Torkan said all free zones are located on the borders and are commissioned to communicate and transact with the neighbors, citing Arvand Free Zone which is for trade and transaction with the neighboring Iraq. He pointed to five industries of cement, steel, automobile, petrochemicals and electricity in Iran which are standing at top positions in the world, commenting that the reason for Iran’s success in cement and steel industries is that these two industries consume energy which is inexpensive in the country. “The petrochemical industry has been successful because inexpensive natural gas feedstock is at its disposal but in electricity we hold a world position because we have made massive investment in transfer, generation and distribution of electricity and in production of turbine and generators we have advantages.” He said background of the Iranians show that whenever their hard currency revenue increases they would go after imports but this attitude should be corrected as an industry which is harmed cannot resume operation easily./end