Formation of a Currency Committee to Address Challenges of Economic Actors / Promoting an Export-Oriented Approach in Production and Investment

Report of the Public Relations Office of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran

Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, in the TV program Saf-e Aval (First Line), emphasized the promotion of the idea and goal of export-oriented production in medium- and long-term programs. He stated:

It is very important for a producer to consider what market lies ahead when making investments. Does he only see the domestic market of 90 million people, or does he also take into account the several-hundred-million population of neighboring countries? The products and marketing plans of producers should be designed in such a way that global markets remain open to them. If this idea is promoted, achieving export figures in the range of hundreds of billions, given the existing capacities of our economy, will not be out of reach.

Efforts to Solve Problems of the National Trade System

The head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran also addressed the challenges faced by traders and economic actors in the Integrated National Trade System. He explained:

This system is a collection of different platforms and information exchange services between them. Only a small part of it is within the Trade Promotion Organization, while other sections are managed by other institutions, and overall supervision is carried out by the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade (MIMT).

Dehghan Dehnavi added:

What is demanded by economic actors — and what we, as the custodian of foreign trade, must address — relates to several factors. Some issues stem from limitations in the supply and demand of foreign currency. The system operates under conditions where demand for foreign currency does not match supply. For the sake of currency management, certain plans may delay allocations for non-essential goods, leading to traders’ dissatisfaction, though such decisions are backed by national management considerations.

He continued:

Another issue is the frequent changes in business regulations. Unfortunately, sometimes existing regulations are not fully observed. Matters such as observing the timing of order registration and respecting vested rights are being reviewed and implemented by the TPO.

Establishment of a Foreign Exchange Committee in MIMT

The Deputy Minister further referred to the formation of a Foreign Exchange Committee, chaired by the Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade along with specialized deputies.

He said:

The committee was created to resolve traders’ currency-related problems, and its resolutions have so far solved many issues, including the ability to edit order registrations and lifting restrictions on goods editing. Problems of economic actors are identified in this committee and addressed with a facilitative approach.

Growth of Trade with the Eurasian Free Trade Agreement

Dehghan Dehnavi pointed to the impact of trade agreements such as the Eurasian Free Trade Agreement in opening new markets for exporters and increasing exports.

Since the implementation of this agreement, our trade has grown by 23 percent. Therefore, we are fully determined in the Trade Promotion Organization to promote and introduce the capacities of such agreements to the private sector and producers, making them aware of the advantages and competitive edges they provide.

He added:

In this context, the main document of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and Pakistan has also been signed, and the list of goods is being finalized. All these agreements aim at opening new horizons and opportunities for exporters. For example, through such agreements, we managed to increase trade from 500 million to 3 billion dollars, and we aim to raise this to 10 billion dollars. We must not, due to narrow-mindedness or lack of awareness of details, deprive economic actors of such opportunities.

Target of 23% Annual Growth in Non-Oil Exports

Regarding the performance of foreign trade and non-oil exports in the first four months of 2025, Dehghan Dehnavi said:

Last year, our foreign trade performance — especially in non-oil exports — was strong. In fact, the Seventh Development Plan of the country sets an ambitious target of 23 percent annual growth in non-oil exports.

The TPO chief added:

Last year, we achieved 15.8% growth in non-oil exports, ending the year with a record value of 58 billion dollars in exports — a figure never reached in previous years.

However, he noted that in the first four months of this year, due to incidents such as the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in May and the 12-day war that followed, economic activities suffered disruptions.

As a result:

• Non-oil exports fell by about 5.5%.
• Imports decreased by 15%.
• Overall foreign trade dropped by around 10%.

He expressed hope that with greater effort and dynamism from the private sector, this setback can be overcome and last year’s record maintained.

Efforts to Overcome Production Constraints

According to Dehghan Dehnavi:

Despite the strong foundations of our economy, there is still room for more growth. However, constraints in the economy impact production. For instance, due to energy shortages and power outages, many industries at downstream stages of the value chain could not continue production this year, and instead exported raw materials.

He emphasized:

Hopefully, with the government’s plans — particularly the development of solar power plants — these constraints will be compensated this year and the next, allowing us to benefit from the investments already made in production.

Simplifying Trade Processes

Finally, the TPO head stressed:

External restrictions such as sanctions and wars are beyond our control and negatively affect trade. Some limitations are infrastructural, like energy shortages, which must be solved through investment in energy production. But many constraints stem from excessive bureaucracy, redundant or contradictory regulations, and misguided policies. These act like shackles on exporters and importers. We must remove them and simplify our processes. Our policies should be aimed at motivating