Speaking with Shana, he said that the Petroleum Ministry needs a minister with mastery of the oil industry and a coherent plan to address the issues.

“The managerial experiences and close to three decades of managerial posts in the oil industry including in production, planning, trade, and other macro-level posts are among the characteristics that make Mohsen Paknejad a suitable candidate for the position of the Petroleum Ministry.”, former ICOFC’s CEO said.    

Referring to the managerial and personal characteristics of the proposed petroleum minister, Hatami said that Paknejad’s independent personality allows him to make a consensus in the oil industry which is much needed during a time when the sector needs consensus and empathy to pass the current situation.

“Given his career, Paknejad is very well aware of the various challenges the oil industry faces which include issues like natural gas and gasoline imbalances, international sanctions, and imports of goods and equipment difficulties”, he said adding there is no doubt that the proposed petroleum minister knows that to overcome these challenges and advancement of the oil industry development needs dynamic and motivated human forces.

“On top of that, Paknejad’s past activities in NIOC and Petroleum Ministry and his involvement in the commercial activities of the oil sector will help him in his efforts to remove and neutralize sanctions, boosting oil sales and natural gas trade”, he noted.

Hatami concluded: without doubt, the presence of an independent and expert character like Mohsen Paknejad at the helm of the Petroleum Ministry will be promising.