Agriculture minister praises private sector role in economic resilience

Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh praised the private sector’s role in maintaining production and meeting people’s needs despite economic pressures, saying greater private-sector participation would make the economy more productive and innovative.

Speaking at a Sunday meeting with the president and members of the board of directors of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Nouri Ghezeljeh said producers and economic operators had played an important role in keeping production and the supply of essential goods running despite the pressures stemming from war, sanctions and economic restrictions. “If the economy is in the hands of the private sector, it will bring greater productivity, innovation and prosperity to the country,” Nouri Ghezeljeh said. He stressed the importance of food security during crises, saying agriculture was among the sectors most immediately affected by war, sanctions and trade restrictions. Despite those challenges, efforts had been made to prevent disruptions to production and the supply of essential commodities, he said. Nouri Ghezeljeh also said Iran’s population had endured various pressures and restrictions over past decades and expressed hope that easing current pressures and gradually addressing the effects of war and sanctions would help put the economy on a path toward development and growth. The minister called for strengthening the position of the “real private sector” in the economy, saying a state-led economy could not independently achieve development and progress. The government, he said, should focus more on regulation, oversight and governance while creating conditions for genuine private businesses to play a greater role. He also highlighted the role of the Government-Private Sector Dialogue Council in resolving business-related issues, saying matters that could otherwise take years to resolve through administrative procedures had been addressed more quickly through the council. Iran Chamber of Commerce President Samad Hassanzadeh, for his part, praised the Agriculture Ministry’s performance during the recent war and blockade, particularly its efforts to ensure the supply of essential goods and support household livelihoods. Hassanzadeh, chamber vice presidents Payam Bagheri and Qadir Qiafeh, and board members Keyvan Kashefi and Abdollah Mohajer Darabi also outlined key concerns facing traders and private-sector economic operators.