Zohreh Alipour, head of the Iranian Privatization Organization,
announced the milestone at the second National Conference on Development and
Foresight in the Petrochemical Industry, emphasizing that the state no longer
holds a meaningful stake in the industry.
"With the exception of two or three companies, including
Hegmataneh Petrochemical, Ibn Sina, and a small share in Persian Gulf Holding,
the government has fully exited the sector. This marks a significant
achievement in the path toward privatization," Alipour said.
She added that the handover to private hands has improved the business
climate and noted that many citizens now indirectly hold stakes in
petrochemical firms through equity shares tied to the national justice shares
program.
Alipour stressed the urgent need to establish an independent
regulatory body to oversee market operations and safeguard fair competition.
“The issue has been raised in parliament, and we hope it will soon be
implemented,” she said.
Describing the petrochemical sector as a key driver of Iran’s economy,
she highlighted the rapid pace of technological change and urged investors to
focus on both innovation and competitiveness, particularly in relation to
neighboring countries.
“Although privatization has encouraged a more competitive environment,
the absence of a regulatory authority remains a shortcoming that must be
addressed to ensure a transparent and profitable market,” Alipour said.