TEHRAN: President Hassan Rouhani said his administration has taken “very positive” steps to realize Resistance Economy’s goals, stressing that efforts should be continued until the objectives are fully accomplished. Resistance Economy is a set of principles aimed at boosting domestic production and productivity, and curbing oil dependence, to make the country immune to economic wars waged by foreign powers. The concept was first raised by the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in 2011, amid the tightening of economic sanctions against Tehran by the US and its allies over unproven allegations that Tehran intends to build nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after the last Cabinet meeting in the current Iranian year (ending March 20), the president said the government has managed to greatly develop the country’s economic and production infrastructure, President.ir reported.
“Decreasing dependence on oil revenues and relying more on tax incomes in the current year’s budget, producing foreign trade surplus, boosting economic growth, retaking Iran’s previous position among oil exporters, broadening banking connections and solving problems in transportation field” were among measures Rouhani said were taken in line with Resistance Economy. On Thursday, the Leader called for ceaseless efforts to make the effects of Resistance Economy tangible for people, describing it as “the sole way of solving the country’s problems”. Speaking in a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts, the Leader acknowledged that remarkable steps have been taken by government officials to promote the principles of Resistance Economy, but said they are only a part of necessary steps. “If all necessary steps with regard to Resistance Economy had been taken, today we would have observed a tangible difference in the country’s economic conditions and people’s lives,” he said. Rouhani will be a candidate in May 19 presidential polls, seeking to extend his first term and reach the limit of eight years of consecutive presidency.
