Speaking during a visit to Bushehr province to inaugurate a privately
funded petrochemical project by Entekhab Industrial Group, Ghaem Panah
underlined the role of the National Petrochemical Company as a government
representative in facilitating private sector development.
“Experience from many countries shows that transferring industry and
production to the private sector paves the way for progress,” he said, citing
the examples of the former Soviet Union and China. He stressed that remaining
dependent on state-owned industries would hinder productivity and quality
improvement.
Ghaem Panah also highlighted the need to integrate science and
industry, describing raw material exports as detrimental and praising the
project’s exports to 70 countries. He noted that approximately 20,000 workers,
employees, and entrepreneurs are employed across Entekhab Industrial Group’s
production units.
Addressing broader economic challenges, he said: “Unemployment,
poverty, and inflation are serious threats. By creating jobs and generating
wealth, the private sector helps reduce poverty and social harm.” He further
emphasized that a strong private sector fosters economic transparency and
limits corruption.
Ghaem Panah called for leveraging local universities and research
centers to support sustainable industrial development, reinforcing the link
between knowledge and production in the petrochemical sector.