Inside Iran’s Parliament: Key Decisions on Banking, AI, and Economic Reforms
This week, the specialized commissions of the Iranian Parliament convened to deliberate on a packed agenda, focusing on pivotal economic and legislative matters. While typically holding two sessions, commissions met only once due to the parliament’s intensified focus on the country’s Seventh Development Plan. The sessions featured consultations with government officials, resulting in several key decisions aimed at fostering national progress.
Boosting Domestic Production
Jafar Ghaderi, head of the Special Commission for Supporting Production, reported that the session reviewed a performance report from the Construction Mobilization Organization. The report detailed the organization’s efforts in supporting domestic production and executing development projects. The commission also examined amendments to Article 16 of the “Law on Maximum Use of Domestic Production and Services and Support for Iranian Goods,” reaffirming its goal to improve the business environment and strengthen national production.
Scrutinizing Government Asset Management
The Commission of Construction held a session to evaluate the policy of making surplus government properties and assets productive. According to the commission’s spokesman, Abdoljalal Iri, discussions covered the volume of assets, compliance with legal frameworks, pricing transparency, and the overall effectiveness of the policy. It was decided that responsible bodies, including the Ministries of Roads and Economy, will be summoned to future sessions to provide detailed reports on the implementation of this initiative.
Tackling Banking Sector Challenges
Hakem Memkan, spokesman for the Economic Commission, announced that the commission reviewed the details of the “Gazir” plan for the banking system. He stated that if this plan is passed into law and implemented, it will significantly minimize the imbalances within the banking sector, promoting greater financial stability.
Streamlining Municipal Transactions
The Councils Commission approved the generalities of a bill to amend Article 35 of the Tehran Municipality’s transaction bylaws. The amendment facilitates greater flexibility, allowing for the exchange of bank guarantees, treasury bills, and approved debt settlement certificates as transaction deposits or performance bonds, subject to the mayor’s approval. An additional note mandates that the Minister of Interior issue an executive instruction for implementing municipal transaction guarantees within three months.
Enhancing Financial Oversight
The Plan and Budget Commission met with the Head of the Supreme Audit Court, Mehrdad Bazrpash. The commission reviewed the court’s performance and future plans, with discussions centered on financial transparency, payment processes, and strengthening the oversight of financial laws and budget implementation. Commission members emphasized the need for more precise and efficient supervisory roles to prevent structural financial issues.
Focus on Food Security
Alireza Abbasi, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture Commission, reported that an amendment to Note 4 of the “Law on Preserving Land Use” was discussed. It was decided to remove the contentious Article 11 from the current bill. The government is expected to soon present a separate bill to parliament for a comprehensive amendment of the Land Use law, underscoring the importance of land preservation for national food security.
Reducing Insurance Burden on Drivers
After approximately ten specialized meetings, the Construction Commission approved a bill to amend the insurance law for freight and passenger drivers. The new amendment reduces the drivers’ share of the insurance premium from 27% to 13.5%. The remaining 13.5%, previously covered by the government, will be sourced through alternative financing: a 2.5% increase on waybills for truck drivers and a 4% increase on passenger tickets for bus and internet taxi drivers.
National Fund for Artificial Intelligence
The Industries and Mines Commission, in its final session of the week, approved the establishment of a National Fund for the Development of Artificial Intelligence. The commission agreed to allocate 10 billion tomans in credits over three years from national resources to finance this strategic initiative. The commission also deliberated on a plan concerning the employment of retirees in production units, deciding to form a working group to ensure the rights of both industrial units and the Social Security Organization are protected.