According to president.ir, Pezeshkian made the remarks Thursday during a meeting with investors and business leaders in West Azerbaijan Province. He emphasized that the government holds regular meetings with industrial and commercial sectors to address their operational challenges.

“For each industrial sector, the responsible minister has been tasked with directly following up on the concerns of related associations,” Pezeshkian said. “By holding continuous meetings, practical and executable solutions are proposed. At the end of every month, the results of these discussions are reviewed to identify and remove real barriers to production and trade.”

Economic Reform Through Production and Exports

The president reiterated his belief that the path to overcoming economic difficulties and countering sanctions lies in expanding production and exports.

“Any obstacles that stem from within the government will be resolved through coordination among agencies,” he said. “Our goal is to make the path of trade smoother for economic actors.”

While acknowledging that regular consultations with the private sector have begun to yield results, Pezeshkian cautioned that deeply rooted problems cannot be resolved overnight.

“The challenges accumulated over the years will not be solved in a short time,” he said. “The path of reform has begun, and with cooperation from chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs, the process of removing barriers continues with determination.”

Private Sector Oversight and Collaboration

Pezeshkian said business sectors should play a greater role in managing their own operations and monitoring performance.

“Experience has shown that external oversight alone cannot solve the problems,” he said. “Economic players themselves must have a direct role in improving processes, enhancing quality, and raising standards.”

He added that the government remains open to new proposals from investors and the private sector. “This reform path is already being implemented, and if new ideas are proposed, the government is ready to put them into action,” he said.

Pezeshkian also noted that every Wednesday, special high-level meetings are held with ministers and senior managers from the investment, oil, gas, petrochemical, and export sectors to review project progress and resolve obstacles.

The Need to Curb Flare Gas

Highlighting the economic and environmental importance of reducing flare gas, the president said a large volume of gas continues to be burned in oil fields.

“If we can control this gas, it could generate between $5 billion and $6 billion in annual revenue,” Pezeshkian said. “We often spend enormous resources to earn a single billion dollars, yet we burn away $5 billion worth of potential wealth in flare gases.”

He said the administration has already made significant progress in curbing this waste. “So far, more than 11 million cubic meters of flare gas have been captured, compared with a total of about 9 million cubic meters across all previous administrations combined,” he noted. “This shows that the reform process has practically begun, and the government is pursuing it seriously.”

Weekly Reviews and Investor Support

Pezeshkian said weekly meetings are held to create the necessary conditions for complete control of associated gases in oil fields. He assured investors that any legal or procedural barriers to investment or flare control projects will be resolved immediately during these sessions.

“If there are any administrative or legal obstacles, they will be addressed right there in the meeting,” he said.

Coordination Among Branches of Power

The president also emphasized that the government’s efforts are coordinated with all branches of power.

“If necessary, issues will be discussed at the highest level among the heads of the three branches,” he said. “None of the national institutions, including the parliament or the judiciary, will obstruct the path of reform, investment, or flare gas management.”

Harnessing Associated Gas for National Development

Pezeshkian said comprehensive plans are underway to utilize associated gases and attract investment in oil and gas fields.

“Our goal is not only to prevent resource waste but also to ensure that the benefits gained from these efforts contribute to national development,” he said.

The president concluded that the government’s energy strategy focuses on transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities through collaboration with domestic and foreign investors.