MNA � Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh has reported on development of requirements for creating strong export companies as a top priority.


The official made the remarks at the first meeting of the private-sector/government dialogue council which was held on Monday in Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA).

He noted that the export sector could also become a priority adding �capable exporting enterprises need to be established.� He criticized the minimal number of these firms in the country urging the dialogue council to define necessary requirements for their formation.

Iran�s industry minister said not all the country�s objectives in the export sector were fulfilled in the previous year the reason being lack of access to specialized export holding tools.

Nematzade recalled the Leader�s emphasis on imposing a ban on the import of products which could damage domestic production and said a list of these goods had been prepared and would be handed to the government.

He underlined that a request had been also sent to the Parliament to issue the permit for enacting non-tariff restrictions on imports in special cases.

On the role played by free trade zones, the official said FTZs prove a great asset for economic boom, facile production as well as conducting exports.

He praised establishment of customs at entrance of free trade zones since they offer precise information on import volumes.

Levying tariffs on certain commodities like raiment in northern and northwest FTZs like Aras and Bandar Anzali was another issued pinpointed by Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh who believed �the measures aim to prevent damage to domestic production.�

Also at the meeting, ICCIMA Head Gholamhossein Shafei said main priorities of the dialogue council needed to be identified for the year ahead suggesting that prime concerns should include improved performance in privatization, paving the path for transferring unfinished construction projects to the private sector, removing barriers to foreign investment and facilitate business atmosphere.

He called for development of a comprehensive legislation for the business climate and termination of all other similar rules in a bid to bring a significant jump to improvement of business climate index.

Suggestions raised by Shafei were warmly welcomed by the Iranian Industry Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.