Rouhani: Constructive Interaction with the World is a Key Component of Resistance Economy

On Tuesday, April 3, Hassan Rouhani described "constructive interaction with the world" as one of the "important components of the resistance economy." This comes as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic stated on April 1 that reducing dependence on the global economy is a sign of "progress" and a necessary action for achieving what he calls "resistance economy." According to the state news agency IRNA, the Iranian president told free zone managers that "the resistance economy is realized through action, planning, and avoiding slogans." Rouhani added: "One of the important and emphasized sections in the resistance economy policies is constructive interaction with the world, and the path of the eleventh government since June 2013 has been and continues to be the resistance economy." He identified "reducing budget dependence on oil revenues," "increasing non-oil exports," "reducing inflation," and "creating economic stability" as part of the eleventh government's policies, stating that "most of these are points emphasized within the framework of resistance economy policies." On April 1, Rouhani also referred to the Supreme Leader's remarks, stating that "the resistance economy is the path of the government's economic programs." On the same day, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri announced that "12 national programs" have been developed to achieve the resistance economy. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, has named the year 1395 (2016) as "Resistance Economy, Action, and Practice," just as he has in previous years. He has repeatedly emphasized the "resistance economy," which describes an economy independent of foreign countries, especially during sanctions. In the final days of the previous year, during a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts, the Iranian leader referred to comments from a commander of the Revolutionary Guard, stating that "even if they surround our country, this institution will not face problems in missile production," adding that "this means progress." In contrast, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, head of the Expediency Discernment Council, stated on March 22 without directly addressing Khamenei's remarks that "can we be happy about being enclosed in today's world?" Rouhani also mentioned the government's target for economic growth of 5% in 1395, stating that "efforts must be increased to achieve economic growth and completely break the recession, and banks must enter this field." In his Nowruz message, he expressed hope that the country's economic growth would reach 5%, which is "twice the average of the last ten years," referring to the Vienna nuclear agreement and Iran's efforts to increase oil sales. Meanwhile, Hossein Marashi, a senior member of the Construction Party, stated on April 2 that "with turtle-like movements" from the government's economic team, "the Iranian economy cannot be revived," emphasizing that bold decisions are needed. He stressed that the economic team should consider both economic growth and inflation, rather than focusing solely on controlling inflation while neglecting growth. Since Rouhani's administration took office, inflation has been on a downward trend, nearly halving compared to the previous administration. However, the increase in economic growth has not been steady. In 1393 (2014), Iran's economic growth reached 3%, but this increase did not continue, and the figure for the first nine months of the previous year was 0.7%.