The head of the private sector's main entity lambasted the prevailing corruption and rent-seeking in the country's economic sphere, saying they are the main obstacles to transparency and a level playing field.
Addressing the latest gathering of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture in Tehran, Gholamhossein Shafei added that despite the efforts of President Hassan Rouhani and First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri, the executive branch has failed to implement the Law for Improving the Ease of Doing Business.
"Iranian businesses are suffering from systemic corruption but the fact that corruption in the country has become organized makes it so much harder to fight," Shafei was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency on Sunday.
“The chamber of commerce is very sensitive about corruption and has a special committee to fight it but the truth is we are not responsible for it and we can mostly offer ideas to resolve the issues.”
The private sector’s top official noted that the slow pace of development in the country cannot be ascribed to lack of resources, but to their lack of distribution in the right place, safe from corruption and embezzlement.
“As long as the problem has not been completely recognized, there cannot be a precise and appropriate way to deal with it as lack of planning has caused many problems in the country’s economy and halfway measures won’t do them any good,” he added.
Shafei emphasized that the private sector is unable to protect itself, unless state-owned organizations stop regarding it as a rival.
“Despite the fact that the private sector should have a say in every decision in the country, that is not the case as we have on several occasions asked President Rouhani to meet us directly, but this has not taken place so far,” he concluded.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints