The country has the advantage of a highly efficient manpower which can create a base for technological developments through the transfer of appropriate know-how into the country. Our standing in terms of oil, gas and mining resources is well known by the international community. Iran is among the top 10 countries in the world which benefit from a diversified range of mineral resources. Each of these resources can turn into a source of increased revenues provided that they are properly invested in. All these potentials in addition to many others make us believe that we should be in a far better position and have a more prosperous economic situation.

A More Positive Attitude: During President Khatami’s term of office, Iran has adopted a more positive attitude toward the world, and has provided vast opportunities for partnership with foreign investors. It is now meeting part of the pre-requisites needed for establishing logical and appropriate relations with the outside world toward its growth and development. These conditions are essential but not sufficient. To this end, we should first adopt appropriate policies within our economy. Naturally, our next move should be proper information dissemination so that the whole world can keep abreast of the policies we adopt. Of course, it is possible that we are not practicing the policies which the world believes we are, and this could turn into an obstacle in the way of the emergence of an activity.

An Old Law?: Different opinions have been voiced as to the fact that the Law for Attraction & Protection of Foreign Investment is outdated. But I really want to know whether the current legislation has any problems. Of course, I admit that the situation around the world is always changing and any legislation needs to be updated, but is there anywhere in the legislation that one could point at and say this creates an obstacle in the way of investment? Perhaps the proper execution of the law could even help us attract large volumes of foreign investment. And besides this legislation the Third Plan Law, which is a national document on the country’s future policies, could serve as an excellent guideline for those who are interested in some kind of economic activity in Iran. Naturally, the most important criterion for any foreign investor who wants to decide on the country and the area of activity to invest in would be the relative returns of capital in that line of activity and in that particular country. The experience of other countries and theoretical discussions cast light on the conditions and policies required for a country to have a clear path of investment with high returns on capitals.
I believe the framework of policies included in the Third Plan provides a clear perspective. A considerable part of the Third Plan focuses on the changes that should take place in the structure of the government. Again, foreign investors are highly concerned with the financial institutions of the countries they invest in. Another part of the Third Plan focuses on the modernization of our financial institutions and the developments that should take shape in our financial market.
On the issue of privatization, the foreign investor wants to know whether the government of the host country is moving toward privatization, specially when the government has the largest share in the economy of that country. Another part of the Third Plan includes the mechanisms for decentralization of economic activities because of the centralized financial structure currently existing.

A Realistic Plan: I think if foreign investors were provided with the translation of the Third Plan, they would be able to follow it easily because the Third Plan has tried to offer accessible routes instead of speaking about a utopia and unreachable golden days in the future. I believe it can serve as a proper guide for any one who refers to it and wants to follow the structural developments and policies to take shape in the country in the future. Two steps have to be taken with regard to the future of the country. One would be to implement the Third Plan, and the other to inform others, particularly foreigners. As a result, like many other countries, Iran can also benefit from the opportunities arising all around the world.