Mahmoud Najafi-Arab, President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of specialized exhibitions for the development of domestic and foreign markets, stressing the necessity of removing obstacles facing producers. According to him, exhibitions should become a platform for international marketing and attracting foreign business partners.
Removing Currency Barriers and Challenges for Producers
Najafi-Arab, on the sidelines of the Plast Show exhibition, referred to the challenges faced by producers regarding order registration and currency allocation, stating: "The private sector should have the authority to easily use the foreign exchange earned from exports to secure raw materials." He also mentioned that negotiations are ongoing with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade to amend regulations so that cumbersome administrative rules do not hinder the activities of industrialists.
The President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of resolving currency uncertainties for manufacturing industries, adding: "Removing currency barriers and facilitating producers' access to foreign exchange resources is essential for the operation and development of polymer and petrochemical industries, especially the downstream sectors of this chain."
Criticism of Command Economy and the Necessity of a Single Exchange Rate
Najafi-Arab criticized the dominance of a "command economy" and "price controls," stressing: "As long as the economy remains trapped in this command structure, many problems will not be resolved." He urged the government to seize the current opportunity to implement a single exchange rate, considering this step as one of the key measures to eliminate industry uncertainties and facilitate production processes.
Furthermore, Harvik Yari Janian, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Homogeneous Manufacturers of Polymer Machinery and Equipment, emphasized the organization of the Plast Show exhibition by the private sector, stating: "This exhibition can act as a wake-up call and provide a shock to create movement and prosperity in the polymer industry."
He also pointed out the uncertain conditions of the country's foreign trade, stating: "Today, the status of exports and imports is extremely unclear, and many companies are facing reduced activity and even workforce adjustments." Yari Janian added: "The sharp increase in transportation costs is another serious problem for economic actors. The cost of transporting a container, which was previously around two thousand dollars, has risen to about eighteen thousand dollars, putting significant pressure on producers and consumers."
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