TEHRAN President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday said that government aims to guarantee security and stability as a prerequisite for attracting domestic and foreign investment and promotion of economy.
Speaking to reporters after an inspection tour of the ongoing 26th Tehran International Trade Fair, the president said that increase in the volume of trade exchanges with regional and European countries is an indication of Iran's proper diplomacy and stances.
He said currently Iran is in a position that has already paid parts of its arrears and its condition is satisfactory in certain sectors of the economy such as housing and even agriculture despite the widespread drought.
The president who is also head of the High Economy Council said the country is moving toward investment and encouragement of producers in an effort to promote non-oil exports.
Pointing to the positive trade surplus of the country, President Khatami said reliance on oil export revenues should be diminished and the gap created thereby should be filled with non-oil exports and services.
He underlined the increased rate of confidence in making investment in Iran by domestic and foreign investors and expressed his hope that with the lowering of government monopoly, greater participation of the private sector will be experienced in future.
Pointing to Iran's strategic position and its significance from transit point of view in the region, President Khatami said that entering into joint ventures with foreign partners for cooperation in third countries has been placed in the agenda of government.
To this end, he stressed, the Tehran International Trade Fair provides an opportunity to become further acquainted with potentials of other countries from various parts of the world.
Appreciating efforts of the industries, mines and metals and economy ministers for organizing this year's event, the president said: "By putting domestic products on display, the fair demonstrates Iran's potentials and thus prepares the ground for competition." Elsewhere in his remarks, President Khatami pointed to the ongoing Conference of Tourism Ministers of Islamic Countries in Isfahan, central Iran, and said efforts will be made that parallel with promotion of non-oil exports and attraction of investment, tourism industry will be developed as well.
He praised active participation of the private sector and said people play a pivotal role in all areas, adding that if such cooperation persists in all political, industrial and scientific fields, the country will tread the right path.
Stressing that orientations promise a brighter future, President Khatami said that a life full of dynamism is being sensed and this encourages all to further prepare the ground for greater development.
He said although coordination and unanimity of all organizations of the system are needed for the progress of a country, various institutions and branches should abide by their accomplishments and refrain from interfering in the affairs of others.
He said the Constitution lays the yardstick for such cooperation and coordination, adding that within its framework every individual will stand in its own place.
In conclusion he recommended practice of moderation in the society and said those who sympathize with the system should identify priorities and proceed forward toward progress through goodwill.
(IRNA)