TEHRAN -- Minister of Industries Gholamreza Shafe'i said here on Wednesday that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, inadequate domestic investments, and illogical pricing of stocks are among the most important obstacles to privatization in Iran.

The minister added that misunderstanding, lack of a unified viewpoints among officials, fluctuations in stock prices and rivalry between various state-run institutes and foundations with those in the private sector are other important impediments to the process of privatization in the country.

Addressing a gathering of managers and industrial and economic experts, the minister pointed out that as long as forex rates face fluctuations no industrialist will be willing to invest.

Sahfe'i also said that any fluctuation in foreign exchange market will have impacts on the liquidity available to each firm.

Speaking at the same gathering Minister of Construction Jihad Mohammad Saeidikia said that it is a mistake for any country to follow privatization patterns of other countries without taking into account its domestic social conditions and the appropriate timing.

The Construction Jihad minister added that currently around 95 percent of activities in the agriculture sector are carried out by the private sector which is a factor contributing to the relative self-sufficiency in the field of livestock production.

(IRNA)