MRC Finds Faults With Gov’t Divestiture Plans

In a report appraising government plans to divest its shares in state-run companies, the Majlis Research Center says it needs more in-depth studies and the plan should be suspended, for now. 
Enumerating flaws in the privatization scheme,   the think tank advised the Rouhani administration “to avoid haste” and postpone the scheme before it negatively impacts the economy.   
The government has launched a plan of action to cede its shares in 18 companies via exchange-traded funds with its declared aim to reduce its role in the economy. 
The first phase of the divesture plan is due on Sunday with government stakes in three banks and two insurance companies to be offered in the first ETF of this kind, named “First Financial Intermediary”.