Controlling prices and supplying essential goods are top priorities of the government’s economic plans, President Hassan Rouhani said, as Iran is grappling with the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak and the impact of US sanctions.
“Careful monitoring and in-time reaction against price hike are the solemn duty of all authorities, producers, guilds and salespeople, and any negligence in this regard is unacceptable,” he said at the meeting of the government’s economic working group on Sunday, President.ir reported.
He stressed that in case of the slightest increase in prices or ambiguity about the control of costs, the relevant officials should appear before the public to explain and resolve the issue in cooperation with all groups involved.
The president cited economic difficulties arising from the coronavirus pandemic as well as the United States’ unilateral sanctions, saying no new pressure should be added to the current conditions of people's livelihoods.
"The [economic] problems ahead of us can be addressed with people's active cooperation," he said.
The viral disease called Covid-19 emerged in China and quickly spread across the globe, forcing governments to enforce lockdowns to contain the pandemic. The restrictions, however, adversely affected many businesses, some having to shut down forever while others would take a long time to recover.
This happened while the country is under tough sanctions that US President Donald Trump reimposed on Iran after quitting the 2015 nuclear deal two years ago.
"Although experts believe that the economic consequences of the coronavirus spread are more devastating and lasting than the illness itself, the government has taken special measures to prevent serious harm to the people and the country's economy," he said.
Referring to the recent unusual increase in the price of houses and home appliances, Rouhani said the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the Industries Ministry have presented made proposals to the government's economic working group, which will be used to manage the problem.
