Samad Hassanzadeh, President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), emphasized the urgent need for continuous dialogue and cooperation between the government and the private sector to address the economic causes behind the recent public protests.
Speaking at a consultative meeting between the ICCIMA board members and representatives of the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Hassanzadeh acknowledged that some of the recent demonstrations were economic in nature and stemmed from public anxieties over livelihoods.
"Resolving these problems requires sustained dialogue between the government and the private sector, and empathy among the various components of the governance system," Hassanzadeh said.
Hassanzadeh affirmed the private sector's commitment to supporting national development in alignment with state policies. However, he noted that economic activists sometimes face "neglect and a lack of appreciation" for their efforts, a sentiment he suggested could hinder constructive engagement.
A key point of discussion was the longstanding private sector demand for unifying Iran's multi-tiered exchange rate system. Hassanzadeh revealed that over the past year, the Chamber held at least 20 meetings with the former Central Bank Governor and other officials, consistently urging the elimination of the preferential exchange rate.
He welcomed recent comments by President Masoud Pezeshkian, who stated during a visit to Shahrekord that the government intends to eliminate all preferential currency rates. The President added that any revenue generated from this policy shift would be allocated to the people.