President voices support for producers, pledges to tackle obstacles to growth
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday the government is determined to resolve economic problems and remove obstacles facing businesses, stressing closer engagement with producers, trade groups and the private sector, during a provincial visit to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.
Speaking at a meeting with investors and economic activists in the western province, Pezeshkian said, “The government’s determination and will are to solve problems and provide the groundwork for the country’s development and progress. With the support of experts, specialists, producers and economic guilds, we can overcome difficulties,” IRNA reported.
He said numerous meetings had been held with the chamber of commerce, the private sector, producers and guilds, describing them as the main commanders in the “economic war”.
“I have personally listened to all the concerns and worries of guilds and economic activists and consider ourselves committed to solving the country’s problems.”
Pezeshkian said heads of chambers of commerce and guilds also attended Wednesday’s cabinet meeting and raised their views and concerns. In the Wednesday meeting “a specific task force was formed to follow up on business issues,” he said.
He added that it was decided a meeting would be held with ministers by the end of the month to review the issues in detail and make decisions, stressing the government’s determination to remove obstacles facing economic activity.
The president also defended the government’s budget proposal, which was rejected by Parliament on Tuesday, saying that previous administrations had typically submitted budgets with annual growth of 30–40% in line with inflation, whereas his draft budget projected growth of only 2%.
He said lawmakers’ concerns focused on wages and living standards, adding that he had urged Parliament to introduce reforms that would improve livelihoods without fueling inflation.
Pezeshkian said the government is seeking to curb inflation by closing the budget without a deficit, identifying budget deficits and financial indiscipline as key drivers of price rises, and stressing that inflation control was a central consideration in drafting the bill.
Referring to sanctions, he said Iran is facing “very severe” restrictions, adding that enemies believed military pressure would destabilize the country but were defeated by resistance. He said the government is taking important decisions to improve livelihoods that have not yet been finalized and will be announced after completion.
In closing, Pezeshkian said, “If a producer falls, the country faces problems and people are harmed. Our duty is to resolve these issues and continue this path with your help.”