Leader Outlines General Policies of Seventh Development Plan  

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei declared the general policies of the 7th five-year development plan to the heads of three branches of power, chairman of the Expediency Council and the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces on Monday.
The policies, which have been developed after consultations with the Expediency Council, focus primarily on “economic progress while securing justice.”
The seven headings of the general policies come in 26 clauses and include “economic”, “infrastructural”, “cultural and social”, “scientific, technological and educational,” “political and foreign policy”, “defensive and security”, and “administrative, legal and judicial”.
In a letter accompanying the announcement, the Leader thanked all those in the Expediency Council, the government, parliament and judiciary who contributed to the preparation of the policies. 
“Preparation and approval of the seventh development plan on the basis of these policies is a new step toward realizing the Islamic Republic’s goals,” he said, stressing the need for active monitoring of their proper implementation, Leader.ir reported.

Seven Headings 

The general goal and main priority of the seventh plan has been determined to be equitable economic progress with an average growth rate of 8% throughout the duration of the plan, according to a clause under the economic heading. 
Stabilizing prices and foreign exchange rates and reducing inflation to single digit figures over five years, as well as reform in the government’s budget structure were among other items under the same heading. 
The economic policies also call for transformation in the tax system with a view to making levies the primary source of the government’s current budget. 
Under the infrastructural headline, the plan requires all relevant bodies to work toward ensuring food security and producing at least 90% of basic goods and food items domestically.  
Integrated management of water resources and a 5% rise in agricultural water efficiency, management of surface waters and increasing the level of underwater resources, planning for access to alternative sources of water and recycling of industrial wastewater also came under this heading. 
The infrastructural guidelines of the seventh plan require maximum increase in the extraction of crude oil and natural gas in shared fields and an improvement in the health system among others. 
Over the five year period, birth rates are expected to increase to reach at least 2.5 through support programs and incentives, as per the requirements of the general cultural and social policies. 
A boost in tourism and handicrafts industries and improvement in social health are other goals mentioned under the heading. 
The country should see a rise in the speed of scientific and technological progress and commercialization of their products, while the educational and research systems need to be updated and upgraded over the target period. 
In politics, the plan should work on developing an economy-oriented approach in foreign policy and regional and international relations, and strengthening economic bonds particularly with neighbors as a top priority. 
Defensive capabilities must be reinforced to improve deterrence with an allocation of at least 5% of the country’s public budget. 
The general policies require transformation in the administrative system with a view to developing smart and electronic services, as well as updating the judicial reform plan to achieve a certain set of objectives, such as preventing crime and countless lawsuits and decreasing the number of prison sentences.