Leader Calls for Oil-Free Economy in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called for formulation of necessary plans to cut Iran’s dependence on oil revenues and govern the country on the basis of domestic capabilities instead of natural resources.
“Instead of relying on the oil revenues, Iran should be governed by rely on the domestic forces and the sources above the ground, namely the intelligence and talent of young people and the generation of science and knowledge,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated in a Wednesday address to a gathering of university students and award winners of national and international scientific events.
The Leader warned that devising the country’s economic plans based to the petrodollars will leave the economy prone to the decisions made by the “world’s major policy-makers”.
Making a reference to fluctuation in the oil prices in the international markets, Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned about dark future of the dependence on oil incomes.
“In an economy dependent on the underground resources, no need will be felt for the identification, employment and activity of elites, and the country will not either make real progress in practice,” the Supreme Leader added.
Imam Khamenei then reiterated the need for a “scientific move” in the country with an emphasis on “strengthening of the knowledge-based companies and knowledge-based economy.”
Iran’s new administration, which took office in August 2013, has voiced determination to increase the volume of non-oil exports as a determining factor in countering economic stagnation in the country.