TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that the “JCPOA 2” should be implemented with the involvement of all who share a responsibility in managing the country in order to develop the country.

The JCPOA 2 is a coinage from the Joint the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that Iran struck with the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany) in July 2015.

“Today is the day that we have entered the post-JCPOA [the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] atmosphere and should get ready to implement the JCPOA 2,” he said in his speech at the annual central bank assembly.

The July 2015 nuclear deal, which removes sanctions against Iran, went into force on January 16.

The president also said some “plundered the nation’s money under the pretext of circumventing the sanctions.”

Rouhani also censured the architects of sanctions against Iran, saying they “imposed the worst sanctions in history on the people of our country.”

The sanctions comprised bans on many things including shipping, insurance, banking, precious metals, petrochemicals, to the extent that they created problems for the “lifelines” of the country, he lamented.

In terms of banking industry the country was being pushed back to the 1970s and 1980s, the president remarked.

He also said from the next Iranian calendar year, which starts on March 20, a single-rate forex should be put in place in order to prevent corruption.

He added, “All financial institutions should be validated and their rating be announced to people”.

Underscoring economic growth and prosperity, he said, “The most important factor in harnessing inflation is financial and monetary discipline and one of the most important achievements of the government has been harnessing inflation and its constant decrease, by the help of the Central Bank economic team”.

“When the government curbs inflation, high interest rates are incorrect and harms the economy” Rouhani said, calling on banks to decrease interest rates.

According to the president.ir, Rouhani also insisted on the need to build confidence between banks and their customers and said, “Banks should be accountable for the funds and money they receive from people and for managing the money for the development of country well”.

Rouhani also said that the February 26 elections will have positive effects on the world.

He attached great importance to participation in the elections, because it is determining the country’s destiny.


NA/PA