Hossein Kamali, Minister of Labour under President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, believes Iran needs competitive economy rather than relying on oil revenues. Islamic Republic is currently under severe international sanctions which have targeted its economy. According to these restrictions, Iranian oil companies cannot sell and ship oil and gas to European and American refineries. This has cut the governmental revenue of Iran resulted into higher inflation rate and fluctuations in currency markets.
“The Iranian government needs to establish competitive economy. Labors and investment should act pivotal roles in this economy which will be the best solution for our country to get rid of current problems and issues. China has figured out the advantages of competitive economy so the Chinese corporations and companies sell their products and services in low prices.” Hossein Kamali remarked during a meeting with the authorities of Labour House in Yazd.
Kamali also went on to criticize the implementation of subsidy reform plan. “This plan could be a great movement in Iran but currently it is not a solution for Iran’s economy. We first need to improve and develop the infrastructures in country then jump into these plans to reduce government’s costs.”
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, is one of the prominent supporters of subsidy reform plan but many Iranians are suffering from the outcomes of this plan which has increased the living items’ prices in country.
Hossein Kamali is an Iranian reformist who is preparing to announce his nomination for the upcoming presidential election scheduled to be held on June, 2013. The Labour House of Iran has officially expressed its support toward Kamali.