Mahmoud Najafi-Arab, the head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of specialized exhibitions for the development of domestic and foreign markets and stressed the necessity of removing barriers 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 currency obtained from its exports to secure raw materials." He also mentioned that negotiations are underway with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade to amend regulations so that cumbersome administrative rules do not hinder industrial activities.
The head 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 currency resources is essential for the operation and development of polymer and petrochemical industries, especially the downstream industries of this chain."
Criticism of the command economy and the necessity of unifying the currency rate
Najafi-Arab criticized the dominance of a "command economy" and "price controls," emphasizing: "As long as the economy is not freed from this command structure, many problems will not be solved." He urged the government to take advantage of the current opportunity to unify the currency rate, considering this action as one of the key steps to resolve the uncertainties in the industry and facilitate production processes.
Furthermore, Harvik Yari Janian, the 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 for creating 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 activists. The cost of transporting a container, which was previously about two thousand dollars, has risen to about eighteen thousand dollars, which puts significant pressure on producers and consumers."
