Parliament ready to support development of private, public sectors: Speaker
Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf emphasized the importance of synergy between the government and the private sector to address the country’s economic challenges during a meeting with heads of Iran Chambers of Commerce, Iran Chamber of Cooperatives, and Iran Chamber of Guilds.
The meeting was aimed at discussing the country’s economic and livelihood issues, with a focus on leveraging the private sector’s potential. Qalibaf stated that the Parliament is prepared to support the development of the private and public sectors in the national economy, according to otaghonline.ir.
Qalibaf highlighted the necessity of implementing the provisions of the Seventh Development Plan (2024-28), which he said could guarantee solutions to the country’s short- and long-term problems.
He stressed that the government must expedite its withdrawal from direct involvement in business activities and transfer economic affairs to the private sector. The government, he added, should focus solely on macro-level policymaking in this area.
The Parliament speaker also underscored the need for fundamental mechanisms to prevent increased living costs for workers and pensioners, ensuring that rising prices of essential goods and inflation do not further burden such groups.
Qalibaf called for regular meetings to coordinate efforts among these public institutions, particularly during critical periods such as the holy fasting month of Ramadan and the Nowruz holidays, to address the root causes of the country’s economic challenges.
The meeting was attended by Samad Hassanzadeh, head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture; Qassem Nodeh-Farahani, head of the Iran Chamber of Guilds; and Bahman Abdollahi, head of the Iran Chamber of Cooperatives. They discussed key issues related to private sector activities, concerns, and government support.
Ready to manage struggling production units
Speaking at the meeting, Hassanzadeh expressed the private sector’s readiness to manage inactive production units, urging Parliament members and the government to actively identify economically viable units that have faltered due to poor management. He called for these units to be handed over to the private sector.
Referring to the approval of a government support package to compensate industries for losses caused by gas and electricity shortages, Hassanzadeh urged the government and Parliament to consider chambers of commerce as partners.
He suggested using their expertise to assess damages suffered by production and industrial units and businesses due to energy imbalances.
Hassanzadeh also called for chambers of commerce, guilds, and cooperatives to have the opportunity to propose bills and plans, enhancing the role of economic actors in national decision-making.
He addressed the contentious issue of multilateralism in determining the minimum wage, describing the Supreme Labor Council’s current mechanism as outdated and in need of revision.
The chamber head proposed that representatives from chambers of commerce, guilds, and cooperatives be included in the council to strengthen multilateralism.
Hassanzadeh emphasized the need to revise the minimum wage model, suggesting that specific minimum wages be set for different occupational groups and adjusted as per regional economic conditions and living standards.
Prepared to finance incomplete projects
Hassanzadeh also announced the private sector’s readiness to participate in financing unfinished projects, offering to provide consultative support to parliament and government officials on practical solutions for funding such projects. He also expressed hope for amendments to the Iran Chamber of Commerce law, aiming to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of chambers of commerce across the country.