Presidential Hopeful Advocates Export-Oriented Policies

Pro-reform presidential candidate, Mostafa Hashemitaba, underscored the need to encourage production and investment to boost export as a prominent feature of a dynamic economy.

“We need to promote investment to spur development in line with Resistance Economy so that we can help the country’s economy flourish within 10 years and increase people’s welfare,” the ex-vice president said in a recent interview with state television.

Resistance Economy is a set of principles aimed at curbing the economy’s dependence on oil revenues, improving productivity and reducing the government’s role in the economy to make the country immune to economic wars waged by foreign powers.

“Actually, we need investment … Investments should be focused on production to promote exports, as they bear great significance in developing a dynamic economy,” he said.

He underscored the necessity of overhauling the banking system, “which is neither standard nor Islamic”.

Hashemitaba also criticized “unrealistic pledges” by his conservative rivals to address the economic problems.

Representatives of the conservative camp in the presidential race are Ebrahim Raeisi, the custodian of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and former culture minister, Mostafa Mirsalim.

Raeisi has promised to create 1 to 1.5 million jobs annually should he win office. Qalibaf has pledged to increase Iranian gross domestic product 2.5-fold and create 5 million jobs.

Both candidates have promised to increase the present monthly cash handouts of 455,000 rials ($12) given to each Iranian individual. The handouts were enacted under former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Hashemitaba said, “I have been opposed to the cash handouts plan because paying cash to the public will not solve the problems of the disadvantaged people.”

He noted that the government can instead help manufacturing units that have suffered financial losses.

The hopeful referred to Iran’s 2015 landmark nuclear deal with major powers as an important breakthrough that opened the path to economic development by boosting foreign trade and investment.

The presidential poll will be held on May 19, along with city council and midterm parliamentary elections.