Statements in Meeting with Economic Activists and Selected Individuals

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

First of all, welcome dear friends and esteemed activists from various economic sectors of the country. Today's meeting is, in one sense, a symbolic session; a symbol of the system's attention to the issue of the economy in the current sensitive conditions of the world, the region, and the country. Primarily, we wanted this. We wanted one of the days of Ramadan to be dedicated to gathering economic activists from the public sector, the private sector, and various fields to come here, to listen to them for an hour, and for this to be reflected in the country, so that it serves as a sign that today the system must seriously pay attention to the issue of the economy, economic dynamism, and economic progress, and that the government - in the broad sense, meaning the state - and the people must cooperate and strive in this regard for reasons I will mention.

Of course, the honorable organizer mentioned representatives from various sectors. It should be said that they are selected individuals from various sectors; because no elections have taken place to say they are representatives; but thanks be to God, in all sectors, there are brilliant minds and prominent personalities present, and selected individuals from them are here in this session. Well, this is the first issue; this has been achieved, and this session will be reflected. This is a message to everyone; both to the government officials in the economic sector, to economic activists across the country, and to the general public, that today we must pay attention to the issue of the economy and engage with it.

The second point that this session has been able to achieve and has the capacity to fulfill, and thanks be to God, it has, is that a report from non-governmental voices about the realities of the country, the advancements of the country, and the dynamism that exists, should be presented and reach the ears and minds of the people. Not that I believe we should constantly talk about advancements; no, everyone knows my opinion; I believe that positive and negative points should be seen together; however, what is important today, in my opinion, is that the people of the country should know what their efforts, the efforts of the officials, and the various immense human capacities in the country have produced.

Let me tell you this; I am in contact with the people; the people do not know these advancements. The things you have just mentioned here in various fields - which I have summarized and a detailed report will, God willing, be compiled - most people are unaware of these. We witness that great works are being carried out in the country; this honor belongs to the Iranian nation. The honor belongs to the Iranian nation. It is these people who are doing it, these brilliant minds who are working, these various scientific, technical, and practical personalities, and the doers and designers who are creating all these honors in the country. We have made good progress in production, services, agriculture, industry, knowledge-based industries, and various sectors mentioned here. It is good for the people to hear these from the non-governmental officials of various sectors and those who are not affiliated with the government; this gives hope to the people and makes them happy.

Let us all keep in mind that today one of the tactics of the psychological warfare of the enemies of the Iranian nation is to demoralize the people; I pay attention to this point, I insist on this issue. They want our youth and active generation and the driving elements of this country - who certainly have an average advantage over the entire world - to be rendered inactive; one of the ways to do this is to demoralize them, to say that it is of no use, nothing has been done, nothing will be done.

Of course, negative points should also be mentioned, shortcomings should be mentioned, deficiencies should be mentioned; but with a tone and manner of remedy. The tone of expression in mentioning shortcomings makes a big difference. This tone should not be demoralizing and destructive to effort and endeavor. It should be felt that we have progressed from this hundred degrees to forty degrees; the ground is also prepared for the remaining sixty degrees. Of course, this sixty degrees is currently missing; let us come together to secure it. The tone of expressing the sixty degrees of deficiency in contrast to the forty degrees of progress should be like this. Well, fortunately, this session has also fulfilled this purpose.

I will only mention a few brief points. One issue is that we have declared this year as the "Year of Economic Jihad." The arrogant policy aims to undermine the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic through the economy. Although the pretext for the sanctions is the nuclear energy issue, they are lying; the reason for the imposition of sanctions is not the nuclear energy issue. You may remember that the major sanctions that marked the beginning of the sanctions against this country occurred when there was no mention of the nuclear issue in this country; that well-known sanction, which, of course, was not very significant, but is famous as the "D'Amato sanction" - which someone raised in the U.S. Congress and pursued - was at a time when the nuclear energy issue was not even mentioned. The goal of the sanctions is to cripple the economy. Of course, the Iranian nation has the honor of enduring these sanctions for thirty-two years.

Of course, the development and diversity of sanctions have been greater in recent years, but in comparison to the development and diversity of constructive activities in the country, they are small and insignificant. Thirty years ago, when they started the sanctions against us, those sanctions could have been more effective against us than the sanctions they are currently enacting and approving, and they keep promising to increase them. This means that we have gradually developed a counter-resilience against the sanctions; we can counter the sanctions in various ways: either by circumventing the sanctions - which is a good, interesting, and subtle tactic, and it is good for the government and the nation to employ this tactic - or by turning to the internal capacities that are fundamentally and structurally necessary and must be implemented, and have already been implemented. Therefore, the enemy's goal is to undermine the Islamic Republic; that is, to undermine Islamic Iran; that is, to undermine a nation that has, with its presence, support, and backing, advanced and flourished this system until today. Therefore, we must be equipped against it. We must recognize the opposing front, understand its tools and weapons, and prepare countermeasures against those weapons; this is what economic jihad requires. What does jihad mean? Not every movement is called jihad. A movement with specific characteristics is called jihad. One of the characteristics of this movement that is called jihad is that a person should know that this is against the enemy; that is, they should know that they are facing a hostile and malicious movement that is taking place. A movement that exists in opposition to such a hostile orientation is one of the main conditions of jihad.

The second direction that must be considered in the concept of jihad is continuity and comprehensiveness, being intelligent, and being sincere. This kind of movement is called jihad. Therefore, economic jihad means the continuous, comprehensive, purposeful movement of the Iranian nation with the intention of neutralizing and nullifying the hostile and malicious efforts of the enemy.

Another point is that in the vision document - which is an important and fundamental upper-level document - we have predicted the first rank for our country in important, vital, and fundamental sectors; we must reach this rank. Well, others will not wait for us to become first; others are also working and striving. We witness the intense economic efforts of some countries that are in the same field of becoming first. Of course, we do not use some of the tools they use, and we will not; we move cleaner, nobler, and more honorable; but we believe that it is possible to reach that first stage if we increase and discipline our speed. Therefore, this requires jihad. There must be both acceleration and planning so that we can reach this first rank. This first rank is not just a whim that we say we want to be first; no, this is because the fate of nations today depends on this. If a country cannot secure and grow itself economically, scientifically, and in terms of infrastructure for advancement, it will be ruthlessly subjected to aggression. We do not want to be subjected to aggression. For two hundred years, our country has been subjected to aggression. The weakness of the incompetent, corrupt, and worldly royal apparatus, and the vitality that existed on the other side, led to this aggression. Since 1800, the British first entered the political apparatus of our country and intervened, influenced, and recruited allies, and along with them or nearly them, some other European countries did the same during this period. In 1800, when the first British ambassador entered the country - who came from India; that is, at a time when the government of India was under British control and the viceroy was there - from the moment he disembarked from the ship in Bushehr, he began bribing and buying individuals, and easily managed to purchase people. All these princes and nobles, all those grand-sounding names, bowed and submitted to the gifts of this gentleman! The trend of aggression by enemies in this country began at that time. This soft soil and the unfounded national embankment of that day allowed the enemy to infiltrate, and they infiltrated. We do not want this to continue. The revolution has created a steel dam against them. We want to strengthen this dam.

Under no circumstances should we allow them to interfere in our economy, our culture, our politics, our destiny, and our affairs; this requires that we develop internal and domestic strength. This internal strength, one of its important foundations is "the economy." Therefore, when we say we should be first, it is for this reason; not because it is a whim that Iran should be first in the region; no, the fate of the nation depends on this. Therefore, continuous, intelligent, sincere, and impactful effort, which naturally must engage all the capacities of the country, is effective in this regard.

The capacity of the country is a very bright and important reality. The capacities of the country are extraordinary. The capacity of our human resources is among the outstanding capacities at the global level; this capacity must be actualized and utilized; we are witnessing this. Of course, I have been hearing for several decades from individuals who were informed - either scientifically or through experience observing some scientific institutions in the world - that they said the talents of Iranians and their intellectual capacity are above the world average. Well, we had heard this; then in the progress of the country's issues during the revolution, we are experiencing and seeing this. Now, regarding dam construction, they mentioned. What has happened in the dam issue in the country was something that no one believed before the revolution. Now, they cited the dam as an example; it is the same in many sectors. What is happening now in the scientific advancements of various sectors in the country was once something that no one would have believed even with an oath; today we are witnessing it before our eyes. I have come to understand through experience and familiarity with various sectors that there is no case in the country where the infrastructure is ready and our youth cannot create and bring it into existence. All various scientific sectors, from the most delicate and precise to the largest, are like this; unless the infrastructure is not ready. We have such human capacity in the country. Well, this is very important.

Our economic capacity is also very important. I once said that the ratio of our vital and important mines and resources to our population ratio to the population of the earth is higher. We are approximately one percent of the world's population - just as our country is also approximately one percent of the total surface of the earth - well, we should have one percent of the vital and essential resources; in some places, we have three percent, four percent, five percent. These are important capacities, these are very valuable.

The issue of water scarcity that is raised in the country is indeed correct - we are a water-scarce country - but it can be completely resolved with intelligent scientific and technical plans; some friends have also pointed this out here, and I have said this before. With a little diligence, a little progress, in this area where we have shortages, we can compensate and resolve this shortage. Therefore, the country truly has extraordinary capacity in terms of natural resources.

In terms of geographical and regional position, it is the same. We are located in a sensitive place. Our proximity to two seas and access to open seas and the sensitive region that exists between the East and the West, that is, between Asia and Europe - we are located in one of the most important parts of this sensitive region - provides us access to the West and the East. These are all advantages. These are the capacities of the country; we must actualize these capacities; this requires effort.

Well, about a quarter of the twenty-year vision period has passed - as has been pointed out. One program, which is the fourth development plan, has been completed; this year is the first year of our fifth program. Of course, in the fourth program, many works have been done. According to the reports that have been given and you have heard, and these reports are indeed correct, very important works have been done; however, at the same time, there are some works that have not been done and must be done. The policymaking is correct. The policies announced in the area of consumption pattern reform, the general policies of the administrative system, the general employment policies, and the policies of Article 44 - those that have been communicated - are all coordinated with each other. If we can organize the program according to these policies and advance it and realize it in the realm of reality, we will be able to utilize a lot from this capacity I mentioned. These policies create a coherence and ensure the coherence of various layers of economic dynamism.

Of course, in the fourth program, some of the goals that were set were not realized, which has various factors; both internal issues have played a role, and external issues have played a role. The issue of eight percent growth, or the reduction of unemployment, or the percentage of investment that was determined, or the issue of reducing inflation - which I also pointed out that day - has not been realized. This necessitates that we double our efforts in the five-year period of this program, to double our endeavors so that we can also compensate for the previous deficiencies.

Of course, we had a major goal in announcing and communicating the policies of Article 44, which must, God willing, be pursued. According to the text of that article, we had to reconsider the state's ownership and economic activity, and this reconsideration has taken place. With what goal? With the goal of creating a competitive economy with the presence of the private sector and private capital in the economic arena of the country. It has been calculated that the amount needed for investment in these five years is about 160 billion dollars per year. This is beyond the capacity of the government; the private sector must definitely enter and cooperate; this must be realized.

In the implementation of the policies of Article 44, good works have been done, but it is not enough; better dynamism must be achieved. The issue is not just that we transfer economic enterprises and say they have been transferred, we have freed ourselves; alongside this transfer, other works are necessary: the private sector must be empowered, it must have the ability to manage well, and oversight must be conducted to prevent abuse.

There are always unhealthy activities alongside healthy activities. I have emphasized the issue of economic corruption for several years. When I raised this issue, some individuals approached me saying that you emphasize economic corruption so much, it may scare our economic activists from entering the economic arena. I said, on the contrary, it encourages them. If an economic activist who wants to earn a lawful living and conduct work in accordance with conscience and religious law knows that the apparatus will confront offenders, he is encouraged even more. We oppose the corrupt, we oppose the creators of corruption, we oppose the abusers. An economic activist who, with his existence, his thought, his money, his investment, and his entrepreneurship, is helping the country, should be encouraged and appreciated, and he will be. Therefore, the fight against economic corruption is certainly a fundamental pillar of work that must be carried out.

Fortunately, all or most of the economic ministers and economic activists of the government are present in this session. Well, they have heard the remarks of the speakers; both those who mentioned the positives and those who expressed suggestions, which indicate the existence of deficiencies. I urge them to pay careful attention to what they have heard and to reflect on them. Let us not allow words to be spoken and end in this session. Now, although Mr. Tavakoli had a complaint about why you did not mention the negatives; but why, when they suggest that this work should be done, it means it has not been done; therefore, it indicates some deficiencies and problems. If they pay attention to these suggestions, reflect on them, I believe these suggestions were good and worthy of consideration.

There is much to say on this subject; I will only make two or three recommendations; some recommendations are directed at the responsible government agencies, and some are general. First, the issue of fully implementing supportive policies for the production sector. Production is the foundation of the economy; it is the pillar of the economy in the country. In the issue of targeted subsidies and the massive activity that the government has started in this area, support for the production sector must be considered; just as it is in the law: that thirty percent that has been determined. Of course, some government officials who spoke with me believe that this thirty percent is not necessary. Some productive economic activists also said that we do not need it; leave us to ourselves, we will manage ourselves. This may be the case in some sectors, but in any case, production needs the help and support of the apparatus. The share of the production sector must be given; especially for some enterprises that are harmed by sanctions. We have enterprises that these sanctions directly or indirectly harm, and we must take advantage of this.

Of course, the private sector also has responsibilities in this regard: saving energy consumption, increasing productivity, renewing machinery. Some government officials complained to me that the owners of some industries do not show interest in renewing their old and worn-out machinery, which has low efficiency and high energy consumption; even if facilities are provided for them, they do not use them for this purpose. Well, this issue must be addressed. Of course, government oversight in this area is also very important; that is, in return for the support that the government provides, it must also oversee. Facilities should be provided, the amount that is the share of production; but care must be taken that the individuals I mentioned - that is, the abusers and opportunists - do not use these facilities for another purpose; this has happened, and we are aware of it, various cases have been reported. There must be decisive action against these cases so that the honest, sincere, and eager producer can carry out his work.

Another issue is imports; which has also been mentioned here, I have also spoken with officials about imports many times. Of course, no one is against imports; regulating imports is necessary, controlling imports is necessary. Simply not allowing the market to be empty of a certain commodity in a season - for example, the New Year season - is not a complete justification for increasing imports. There must definitely be consideration of domestic production in the issue of imports. Of course, it is said that imports help the competitiveness of domestic production; if there are no imports, the domestic producer does not pay attention to quality or production costs; imports compel him to do so. In my opinion, this is not a very strong logic. In this regard, we have had discussions with some officials.

In the issue of imports, especially I want to point out the agricultural sector. In my opinion, importing agricultural products requires much stronger justification than what is currently observed. We have excellent productions in the agricultural sector. One of the gentlemen reported here about the garden products. Our country is among the best in the world in terms of quality in this area. We must be able to increase our productions. We should export these garden and agricultural products so that the world can see what is happening in Iran; not that, for example, we import similar products from Latin America and from here and there, which are much lower in quality. My point is that I emphasize this in the issue of imports.

Another issue is the issue of exports. Of course, the government has the duty to assist exports and exporters. Fortunately - as one of the gentlemen reported - non-oil exports have had very good growth; after this, it will have even more growth; we also expect that in the future it can have its proportional growth; so that the equation of exports and imports is definitely positive. We must reach this point and be able to truly free ourselves from oil revenue. One of the biggest calamities of our economy, and not just our economy, but the general calamity of the country, is our dependence on oil revenue.

A few years ago, I said - of course, at that time, government officials did not welcome this statement at all - we must reach a point where if one day, due to political issues, political exigencies, or economic exigencies in the world, we decide to stop our exports, for example, for fifteen days or a month, we can. You see what a tremendous power this creates for an oil-producing country that, if it decides, can say, "I will not export oil from today for twenty days." See what incident occurs in the world. Today, we cannot do this because we need this revenue. If one day the economy of the country is cut off from oil revenue and oil exports, this ability will be gained by the Iranian nation and the Islamic system in Iran; its impact in the world is extraordinary. We must reach this point. Well, this requires support; exports must be supported.

On the other hand, the exporters and the officials in this field also have responsibilities. The same countries that were mentioned are our major export destinations; the negative feedback from some exporters reaches us here. Sending substandard goods, poor quality, improper packaging, delays in delivery, these are bad. The companies in the world that are successful are those that have been producing a product for a hundred years, a hundred and fifty years, and have managed to keep the customer satisfied. For example, a German company or a Swiss company has been producing a product for a hundred and fifty, a hundred and sixty years and continues to have customers in our country and other countries. Why? Because the customers are satisfied with the product; it arrives on time, has the necessary durability, has the necessary beauty, and has the necessary diversity and evolution in accordance with the progress of time. The exporter must consider these. This requires a culture; a culture of good practice in production that wants to go abroad and beyond borders.

The issue of fighting economic corruption is also very important. Unfortunately, it is always the case that economic corruptors find footholds in government centers. That is, they find someone who helps them, gives them a pass, so they can take advantage. As long as there is no one within the enclosure who can help the aggressor, that aggressor cannot commit economic corruption. Therefore, government officials are obliged to be very sensitive to the emergence and infiltration of economic corruption in government agencies. When you find, for example, in the country's livestock industry a sample that shows a certain disease has entered this poultry farm, you do not show mercy; because you know that if you observe it, the losses will not be limited to these few thousand chickens; its scope will be wide; therefore, you destroy it without hesitation, you eradicate it. Corruption is like this. If you feel and see in government agencies - this is directed at government officials - that there is a suspicion of corruption, you should not show any consideration. If you show consideration, this issue spreads very quickly; because it is highly contagious. The disease of economic corruption is among those diseases that are very contagious and rapid; therefore, attention must definitely be paid to this issue.

One of the things that is very necessary is the issue of a comprehensive program for the growth of the cooperative sector; we have emphasized the issue of cooperation in the policies of Article 44, and this must be implemented. We need a complete comprehensive policy in the cooperative sector. Now, what one of the gentlemen mentioned about small guilds being able to use banking facilities and so on, is completely possible in the shadow of cooperation; that is, the best way is to create cooperatives; logical, reasonable, legal, healthy, and strong cooperatives. In this case, they can utilize and benefit from facilities; and this work can be done.

Another main point is that we must seriously consider introducing the investment opportunities of the country to the private sector. That is, private sector activists must know where the investment opportunities are, which ones they are; everyone must be informed, and special interests should not arise. The confinement of information, the limitation of information to certain individuals, leads to strange special interests; which sometimes provides overnight fortunes for individuals who are abusers; because they are informed that a certain commodity is going to come, a certain commodity is going to be produced, a certain commodity is going to be blocked, the price of a certain commodity is going to rise or fall, or a certain law is going to be passed. Those who are informed take advantage. Information must be made public. Transparency of information must be established. Of course, this was raised in previous governments, and activities have been carried out in the ninth and tenth governments; but it is not enough. More work must be done in this area.

Well, I have noted other points here, but since it is almost time for the call to prayer, I will skip them. I hope, God willing, this session will lead those who have love for the country, the nation, and the Islamic Republic and the future of this nation to take their presence in the economic activity more seriously; God willing, they will multiply their activities intelligently and purposefully. This slogan of "double effort and double work" that we presented last year must also be considered this year alongside the issue of "economic jihad." God willing, everyone should strive, everyone should work. The future of the country is a good future. The capacities of the country are extraordinary and unparalleled. Thanks be to God, there are many good hearts, good faiths, good efforts, capable hands, and keen eyes in the country. This country deserves much more than to be considered a second-rate country in the world. This country should be at the high level of countries and nations. Our historical background, our cultural heritage, our people's capabilities, our natural capacities all dictate this to us. We must move in this way, and God willing, we will reach these points and, with God's help, we will succeed.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.