TEHRAN- The spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade announced the uninterrupted activity of the supply chain and distribution of livelihood and essential goods for the people, stating that from small retailers to large stores, everyone is active in serving the public.

In an exclusive interview with IRNA on Thursday, March 12, Ezzatollah Zarei emphasized that there is no problem in the supply and distribution of essential goods. 

He stated that since the start of the "Ramadan War" [the recent period of conflict], no shortages of essential goods needed by the people have been observed, thanks to coordination between unions, guilds, and the heads of Industry, Mining and Trade departments in the provinces.

He further noted that market situation reports indicate that from small retailers to large stores are operating without interruption to meet the people's needs.

The spokesperson stressed that they are pursuing the disbursement of supportive facilities to industrial units. 

"A number of units, operating with two to three shifts, require working capital. Our expectation from banks is to facilitate the payment process," he said.

He stated that the Central Bank has issued orders to banks for the payment of these facilities, and some payments have already been made to a number of units. However, from their perspective, this is not sufficient, and they are actively pursuing easier conditions for the payment process.

Zarei also referred to the Minister of Industry's daily field visits to production and industrial units. "Seyyed Mohammad Atabak and the ministry's deputies continuously visit industrial towns and areas, as well as production and industrial units, to quickly address their needs and ensure that production continues with greater speed," he explained.

The spokesperson noted that the Minister of Industry has visited production units damaged in the American and Israeli war. "While assessing the damages, he has emphasized government support and compensation for the losses incurred during the Ramadan War," Zarei added.

He underscored that the provision of raw materials, facilitation of customs clearance for goods, and continuous online coordination meetings between the heads of Industry, Mining and Trade departments in the provinces and industrial towns are being carried out consistently.

"Production and Market Facilitation Headquarters are active in all provinces with the participation of guilds, unions, and government bodies. Their goal is to remove obstacles for units, ensuring the continuity of production lines and completing the supply chain," the spokesperson concluded.

Meanwhile, on March 9, TEHRAN- Iran’s deputy minister of industry, mining and trade stated that production and industrial units are operating without interruption, saying the market is monitored daily and so far no reports of price gouging or shortages have been reported.

Mohammad-Sadegh Mofatteh, in an interview with Mehr News Agency regarding the prices of goods in the market, stated: “Chain stores have a centralized financial system and are monitored through the Consumer and Producer Protection Organization, eliminating the need to dispatch inspectors. So far, no price increases or price gouging have been reported.”

Mofatteh said: “Across the country, inspectors from the Disciplinary Organization and the Protection Organization are dispatched to examine retail units, and according to reports, the supply situation and prices have been normal so far, and we have experienced no shortages or high prices.”

He emphasized: “The market situation is monitored quickly, and production and industrial units are engaged in production without interruption or closure.”

Meanwhile, the head of the Agricultural Committee of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture has assured that the country's essential goods reserves are at an acceptable level.

According to a Mehr News Agency report, Es’haq Bandani, head of the Agricultural Committee of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, said: "In a situation where the country is facing a complex and multi-layered war, it is natural for concerns to arise among the people regarding the supply of essential goods. But the reality is that the country's commodity supply structure has been designed in recent years to have acceptable flexibility even in crisis conditions."

Stating that an examination of the status of essential goods reserves shows that the country's existing reserves are at an acceptable level and there is currently no immediate concern in this regard, he added: "Furthermore, the flow of goods entering the country has not stopped and is ongoing through various routes. Contrary to the public perception that mainly considers southern ports as the only entry route for goods, the country has a diverse network of import origins, and goods are entering the country through various sea and land routes."

The head of the Iran Chamber's Agricultural Committee continued: "Alongside imports, domestic production also plays an important role in the stability of essential goods supply. In some strategic items, including wheat, the country has achieved a significant level of self-sufficiency, and soon with the start of the wheat harvest in the southern regions of the country, part of the consumption needs will be met from domestic production. The entry of this product into the consumption cycle in the coming months can help further strengthen market stability."

According to the Iran Chamber, Bandani noted: "However, wartime conditions require policymakers to act proactively and resolve potential bottlenecks in the supply chain. One of these bottlenecks is the time-consuming processes in the area of securing foreign currency for importing goods. In such circumstances, by utilizing the capacity of traders and business networks, the mechanism for imports without currency transfer, with non-bank currency origin, can be activated more for essential goods to increase the speed of the import cycle."

MA