Year of Knowledge-Based, Job-Creating Production

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei extended congratulations on Norouz festivities and named the new Iranian year the year of “knowledge-based, job-creating production.”   
In his New Year message, he reviewed some of the ups and downs over the year that ended on March 20, including the presidential election and the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. 
The American authorities’ confession to the failure of their so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran was among the pleasant events of the past year, according to him. 
“People’s resistance led to this victory and it was in fact the Iranian nation who came victorious,” he said, Leader.ir reported. 
Difficulties in people’s livelihoods, increased prices and inflation, however, were among the bitter developments over that year, the Leader said. 
“Economic problems are remediable, but to hurry and expect them to be resolved overnight is not realistic,” he said, hoping that part of these issues will be addressed in the first year of the 15th Persian calendar century. 
He later described production as the key to overcoming economic problems, which is why the mottos of recent years have been focused on this sector. 
Economic growth, rise in employment, reduced inflation, increased per capital income, improved public welfare and increased national confidence and self-esteem are all dependent on what the Leader called an “elixir named national production.”
Emphasis on this term in recent years has had desirable outcomes, he said. 
“This year, too, I put emphasis on production, but on a new dimension of it, which is knowledge-based and job-creating production,” he said. 
The realization of this goal requires precise policy-making, the Leader said, stressing that efforts must not be limited to superficial activities. 

Scientific, Technological Approach 

In his televised address on the first day of year 1401 on the Persian calendar, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the importance of economy and the related challenges facing the country over the past decade, saying the only way to achieve economic growth is to move toward knowledge-based economy, which refers to the adoption of a scientific and technological approach to production in all sectors.
“Fair progress in economy and resolving the issue of poverty is attainable only through boosting knowledge-based production,” he said. 
Currently, around 6,700 knowledge-based companies are running in the country, which the Leader said must be doubled. 
He called on relevant authorities to support such businesses by purchasing their products or allocating funds. 
Ayatollah Khamenei also urged increased application of knowledge-based standards in sectors which are lagging behind, such as agriculture. 
Job-creation is also contingent on the increase of knowledge-based companies, according to the Leader. 
He said a great number of educated youths are working in unrelated disciplines while the potential of this young and specialized group, who are the country’s greatest capital, can be used to help create wealth for the country. 
He also cautioned that some small and medium-size enterprises might incur losses as a result of such polices, which banks and state entities must be ready to step in to prevent. 

Resilience to Sanctions 

Later on during his speech, the Leader once again stressed the need to avoid linking the country’s economy to the United States’ sanctions. 
New policies in the country have shown that even with sanctions in place, it is possible to progress, boost foreign trade, engage in regional agreements and have achievements in oil sales and other sectors, he said. 
“I never say do not seek the removal of sanctions and those who are working toward this end must keep on their efforts, but the basic strategy is to manage the country in a way that sanctions cannot strike a vital blow on the economy,” he said. 
The US reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, four years ago. 
Iran stayed in the deal, but scaled down its commitments in response to the illegal bans which other western parties failed to counter. 
The new US administration criticized this policy and vowed to rejoin, making way for indirect negotiations in the Austrian capital Vienna to work out how both sides can resume compliance. 
The talks have not yet concluded and hinge on a few final differences according to diplomats. 

Added Oil Revenues

The Leader also pointed to the increase in global oil prices and the resulting foreign exchange income for Iran, saying this revenue can be used in two ways. 
Increasing imports is one way, which despite its good appearance, is very bad in nature and is a waste of the country’s fundamental capitals, according to Ayatollah Khamenei. 
“The other way, which is the right way, is to use oil revenues on building and consolidating infrastructures and strengthening the roots of economy, and this must be done” he said. 
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to current global developments which necessitate thoughtful and wise decision-making. 
He said ongoing events in the world, such as the situation in Afghanistan, everyday bombardments in Yemen, the war in Ukraine and western countries’ racist approach, demonstrate the Iranian nation’s rightfulness in standing up to the global arrogance front. 
Today is one of the most scandalous eras in history for arrogant powers, and the people of the world are witnessing their oppression and double standards, according to the Leader. 
“The Iranian nation’s choice is resistance, refusing surrender and dependence, maintaining independence and strengthening the country and its governance from the inside,” he said. 
“These decisions were national and correct,” he added.