TEHRAN – Veteran industrialists meeting at the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) urged the government to improve international relations and attract foreign investment, calling it essential for economic recovery.

The gathering, attended by ICCIMA leaders and long-time business figures, also included senior government advisers, the ICCIMA portal reported.

Participants emphasized that decades of experience in production and trade should guide policymakers in addressing structural economic problems.

Abolfazl Roghani, adviser to ICCIMA’s head on associations, said reviving the veterans’ assembly was aimed at ensuring the voices of seasoned businesspeople are heard. “They are the real owners of the chamber, who have long developed industry, production, and trade,” he noted.

Mohammad Nouri, aide for special projects, recalled how private sector unity helped stabilize the country during the war years. He stressed that government must step back in areas better handled by business and grant the private sector a larger role.

Masoumeh Aghapour, adviser on economic cooperation, praised recent state–private sector collaboration, calling it vital during sanctions and international competition. She highlighted government efforts to streamline and reform economic structures and asked entrepreneurs to help steer these changes. “The private sector should be the architect of Iran’s prosperity,” she said.

Business leaders presented their own demands. Tea industry veteran Mohammadreza Movasaqi urged regular meetings with policymakers to ensure the private sector’s voice is heard, stressing that “economic security is the basis for investment.”

Ahmad Pourfallah, head of the Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce, said the new veterans’ forum builds on past consultative councils, and argued that consistent dialogue with officials could unlock the economy’s potential.

EF/MA