Car Imports Harmful to National Economy, Society
November 26, 2000 - 0:0
An eye-opening statement was made yesterday by Head of the Industries Development and Renovation Organization of Iran, Akbar Torkan, who said that "the import of any single car destroys two job opportunities in the country".
This statement comes at a time when the Majlis deputy and Acting Secretary General of the Executives of Construction Party (ECP), Hossein Mar'ashi, has said in remarks published in the press that Rafsanjan Pistachio-Producing Cooperative (RPPC) is going to import cars into the country.
It seems that the RPPC is simply turning a blind eye to the poor economic situation and high rate of inflation and unemployment in this country.
The official figures put the unemployment rate at 16 percent, but many economists believe that the actual rate is much higher.
Instead of helping to create more jobs for the young people through its hard currency earnings, the RPPC is going to destroy the few jobs presently available by importing cars. Of course some ECP officials linked to the RPPC are also to blame for this decision, which is harmful to national economy.
Due to the unhealthy economy and rampant poverty, there are nearly 25,000 to 30,000 homeless children in the capital Tehran, and some 100 to 150 of them die of hunger on the streets of the capital every night. More shockingly, the average age of prostitution has fallen drastically in recent years.
The people were hoping that the 6th Majlis would take effective measures to cure the sick economy. However, since the inaugural of the Sixth Majlis last May, no groundbreaking steps have been taken by the Majlis deputies to help lower the soaring inflation and rising unemployment, mostly because they have been engaged in factional disputes and infighting.
It is very unfortunate that Mar'ashi, who is also a member of the parliamentary Plan and Budget Commission, is in favor of importing cars into the country. If other members of the commission also support similar moves and decisions, there will be no longer any hopes of economic recovery in this country.
The Majlis deputies should give the green light to those projects and plans that benefit the whole nation, particularly the youngsters who are in desperate need of jobs, not certain political factions and groups that seek their own interests.
This statement comes at a time when the Majlis deputy and Acting Secretary General of the Executives of Construction Party (ECP), Hossein Mar'ashi, has said in remarks published in the press that Rafsanjan Pistachio-Producing Cooperative (RPPC) is going to import cars into the country.
It seems that the RPPC is simply turning a blind eye to the poor economic situation and high rate of inflation and unemployment in this country.
The official figures put the unemployment rate at 16 percent, but many economists believe that the actual rate is much higher.
Instead of helping to create more jobs for the young people through its hard currency earnings, the RPPC is going to destroy the few jobs presently available by importing cars. Of course some ECP officials linked to the RPPC are also to blame for this decision, which is harmful to national economy.
Due to the unhealthy economy and rampant poverty, there are nearly 25,000 to 30,000 homeless children in the capital Tehran, and some 100 to 150 of them die of hunger on the streets of the capital every night. More shockingly, the average age of prostitution has fallen drastically in recent years.
The people were hoping that the 6th Majlis would take effective measures to cure the sick economy. However, since the inaugural of the Sixth Majlis last May, no groundbreaking steps have been taken by the Majlis deputies to help lower the soaring inflation and rising unemployment, mostly because they have been engaged in factional disputes and infighting.
It is very unfortunate that Mar'ashi, who is also a member of the parliamentary Plan and Budget Commission, is in favor of importing cars into the country. If other members of the commission also support similar moves and decisions, there will be no longer any hopes of economic recovery in this country.
The Majlis deputies should give the green light to those projects and plans that benefit the whole nation, particularly the youngsters who are in desperate need of jobs, not certain political factions and groups that seek their own interests.