According to ILNA, Ezzatollah Habibzadeh, in a mid-agenda speech at today's open session (Sunday, October 25) of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, referring to the Iranian people's steadfastness and solidarity with the system and the Islamic Revolution, said: The world should know that Iran cannot be separated from a people who stand by the system and the Islamic Revolution for the independence, dignity and territorial integrity of their land. We must be grateful to this great nation; the people's steadfastness and their nighttime presence in street gatherings are a symbol of their loyalty and a reminder of this fact that the main capital of the Islamic Republic is the great nation of Iran.

He added: I sincerely thank the wise leadership and guidance of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, the esteemed President, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Head of the Judiciary, especially the self-sacrificing commanders and defenders of the armed forces, the IRGC, the Army, the Navy, Basij and FARAJA, for defending this homeland.

The member of the Majlis Industries and Mines Commission continued: The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the third imposed war is clear, decisive and unchangeable. We were not the initiator of the war and have always emphasized peace, security and regional stability; it is America that has pursued the path of war with its actions and policies.

Habibzadeh stated: We do not seek war, but in defending the country, its independence, territorial integrity and security, we will neither hesitate nor delay for a moment.

Referring to the Islamic Republic of Iran's position on the nuclear issue, he said: Our country's position in this regard is also clear; based on the emphases of our martyred Leader, we have not sought nuclear weapons and consider their production and use to be forbidden (haram). The path we emphasize is the peaceful use of nuclear knowledge and technology in fields such as the medical industry, agriculture and energy production.

The representative of the people of Marand and Jolfa in the Majlis, addressing the nation of Iran, said: Noble people of Iran, I am here today not only as a representative, but as a servant from among these very people, to convey your voice to the officials, to recount your pains and to strive to realize your rights.

Keeping the flow of production going and removing its obstacles must be the priority of economic policymaking

Referring to the most important issues and challenges facing the country, he said: Good and loyal people of Iran, today I want to speak about the most important issues our society and country are grappling with. The first and fundamental issue of the country is production; if the wheel of production turns, the wheel of the economy will turn as well.

Habibzadeh added: I believe that keeping the flow of production going and removing the obstacles before it must be at the top of the country's economic policymaking priorities, because production is the basis of employment, household income, exports and economic growth, and any disruption in production and industrial activities directly affects people's livelihoods.

The member of the Majlis Industries and Mines Commission, referring to the share of management problems and sanctions in the production sector's challenges, stated: My estimate is that about 30 percent of production problems are caused by sanctions and 70 percent by mismanagement; therefore, alongside managing the effects of sanctions, we must identify and remove internal obstacles so that production units can continue their activity at lower cost.

He considered timely and targeted financing one of the most important requirements for a production boom, saying: Industrial units face working-capital financing problems for purchasing raw materials, paying employees' wages, renewing machinery and maintaining production capacity, and effective measures must be taken to resolve these problems.

Foreign-exchange procedures should not push producers' incentives toward intermediary activities

Habibzadeh, emphasizing the need to develop exports, said: Another main goal of the country's economic policies should be the development of exports; meanwhile, some of the Central Bank's foreign-exchange procedures, instead of strengthening exports, push producers' incentives toward imports and intermediary activities.

He continued: Foreign-exchange policies must be set in such a way that, while creating stability and transparency in the economic environment, they support producers and exporters and provide the ground for increasing the competitiveness of Iranian products in domestic and foreign markets.

Sustainable energy supply is essential for the continued activity of industries

The representative of the people of Marand and Jolfa in the Majlis, referring to the energy imbalance in the industry and production sector, said: One of the country's fundamental challenges in industry and production is the energy imbalance, especially in electricity and gas. Given that the wheel of production, including in mines and industries, will face fuel restrictions in the next two months, the need for a national resolve to simultaneously reform the consumption pattern and strengthen energy supply capacity is felt more than in the past.

He added: I expect the managers of executive bodies, as well as our dear people of the country, to accompany the government in these special circumstances by observing the correct consumption pattern, so that sustainable energy supply for the industry sector and relief of the electricity and gas shortages needed by production units become possible.

Goods voucher credit must increase in proportion to the inflation rate

Habibzadeh, emphasizing the need for the Majlis to pay serious attention to people's livelihoods, said: One of the most important issues we are grappling with today and which must be the focus of the Majlis's attention is the issue of people's livelihoods. Economic pressures and the rising cost of living reduce households' purchasing power; therefore, support policies must be proportionate to the economic realities of society.

He stated: One cannot expect people to face a continuous increase in the prices of goods and services while livelihood support continues with the same figures of the past. In this regard, the goods voucher credit must increase in proportion to the inflation rate and the rising cost of households' consumption basket. We expect the government to put people's livelihood and welfare at the top of all its actions and programs.

The member of the Majlis Industries and Mines Commission, raising the question of why, despite the country possessing God-given resources and wealth, people's economic situation faces hardship, said: Why is the country's situation like this, despite the huge volume of God-given wealth including oil, gas and mines, and despite the constant solidarity of our dear and noble people? We live on gold, yet people's economic situation is like this.

Strengthening the livelihood of the armed forces is part of the requirements of the country's sustainable security

Habibzadeh, referring to the need to strengthen the livelihood of the armed forces, said: Another issue that must be pursued seriously is strengthening the livelihood of the country's armed forces. These forces bear heavy responsibilities under various conditions, and their families also face the everyday costs of living alongside these responsibilities.

He added: Paying attention to the livelihood situation of the armed forces is, in truth, paying attention to the country's sustainable security. One cannot expect the armed forces to move with all their might on the path of their missions while their families' economic problems and rising living costs are ignored.

The representative of the people of Marand and Jolfa in the Majlis emphasized: Salaries and benefits must be set in such a way that these forces' purchasing power is preserved and the necessary facilities to meet their families' needs are also provided.

The livelihood of retirees, teachers and medical staff needs serious attention

He also, referring to the livelihood situation of retirees, teachers and educators, nurses, medical staff and government employees, said: The livelihood situation of these groups needs serious attention. They have labored for the country for years and have an important role in educating future generations and providing services to the people; therefore, their livelihood issues and demands must be pursued with greater seriousness.

Determining the employment status of outsourced and contract forces is essential

Habibzadeh, further emphasizing the need to determine the employment status of outsourced and contract personnel working in government bodies, said: The issue of converting the status of outsourced and contract forces must be a priority, an issue that has become one of the serious concerns of this section of executive-body employees and their families.

He added: It must be made clear on the basis of what criteria these forces' employment status will be determined and what fate awaits them. Unfortunately, despite the warnings given, a desirable situation has not yet taken shape in this area, and it is expected that this issue be put on the agenda with greater seriousness.

Source: ILNA News Agency