Masoumeh Aghapour, adviser to the president on economic cooperation,
said the sector was one of Iran’s key comparative advantages, helping to curb
crude exports while generating higher value-added revenues for the economy.
Speaking at the first Petrochemical Industry Investors Conference in
Tehran, Aghapour said petrochemicals were among three core “leading industries”
receiving special attention from the administration of President Masoud
Pezeshkian.
“The petrochemical industry not only prevents raw material exports but
also creates a clear path for wealth generation,” she said, adding that its
contribution to GDP underlined the need to prioritise investment in the sector.
Aghapour said investment in petrochemicals was shaped by three
pillars: political security, public trust and economic stability. She
acknowledged the impact of international sanctions on Iran but said the country
could overcome the challenges through sustained effort and policy coordination.
She called for all available policy tools to be mobilised to support
the sector, including the formation of a dedicated investment task force to
allow projects to proceed without bureaucratic delays.
According to Aghapour, provincial governors have been instructed to
issue permits for petrochemical investment projects in advance and without
naming investors, enabling faster transfer of licences once investors step
forward.
She also stressed the importance of mobilising small-scale foreign
currency savings for hard-currency projects and urged petrochemical companies
to make greater use of young talent and knowledge-based firms.
Closer cooperation between the petrochemical industry and the vice
presidency for science and technology could help accelerate innovation and
investment, she said.
Aghapour added that recent measures taken by the oil minister and the
deputy minister for petrochemical affairs would lead to “positive developments”
across the sector.