Tehran, Iran, July 12
By Mehdi Sepahvand – Trend:
The Islamic Republic of Iran has retaken $1.7 billion of its frozen assets from the US, government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht announced.
“We received the money today and used it as part of the national budget,” Nobakht told a press conference, Trend correspondent reported July 12.
Government dismisses 13 officials over inflated salaries
Nobakht also commented on the recent scandal over salaries of some Iranian bank managers, saying 13 officials have been dismissed or have resigned in relation to the case.
He said the government is pursuing the case determinedly and will not resign to mere apologies from responsible sides.
Government after further reducing banking interests
The spokesman also pointed to banking interests that recently were lowered from about 22 percent to 18 percent.
He said the interest rates reduction “is too small” and the rates have to go down further.
Commenting on international banks’ lack of interest to start relations with Iran, he said, “Financial statements of our banks are worrying foreign banks and they need to be amended and clarified.”
Wheat purchase on rise
Nobakht also pointed to the government’s guaranteed wheat purchase from Iranian farmers and said, “Last year wheat output was 11.5 million tons, while it is 12.8 million tons this year. To date, 6.6 million tons of it has been purchased.”
7,000 industrial units to receive loans
The spokesman also provided updates on the government’s plan to revive 7,000 industrial units by giving the loans.
So far 29,599 companies have signed up for the facilities, he said, adding that 6,940 of them have been referred to banks to receive their loans.
Development projects
Nobakht went on to comment on development projects, saying recently the government allocated a fund of 62 trillion rials ($2 billion, for each USD worth about 30,000 rials) to those projects.
“We paid 45 trillion rials of that via treasury documents to contractors. Seventeen trillion rials went into controlling border waters, land leveling, and distribution of water among rural areas. We intend to pay 15 trillion rials to contractors every week.”