Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM) said earlier this week that so far, the government has not been successful in its plan to cede the shares of state-owned enterprises to public during the third five-year development plan (March 2000-2005).
According to IRNA, Ali Naqi Khamoushi said one of the goals in selling share of public firms is to downsize the role of the government, "but, the government has in fact invested over-10 fold of what it has sold in new projects."
"The government's size has not only been reduced, but it is actually grown. Lack of confidence is the most intractable factor on the way of higher investment in the republic," Khamoushi noted.
With respect to the law, there are no hindrances in making investment, "but in practice and approach there remain many problems."
On the topic of Iran's foreign trade, he said the Islamic Republic is far short of the desired level which is some US$ 350 billion per year, "If we are to approach the same standard of living as developed countries."
Iran's international exchange is close to US$45 billion annually, he added.
To rectify the low level of trade, local production has to be boosted, but "we are facing difficulties in its implementation," Khamoushi added. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
