Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution visited this morning the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry. Speaking to a group of employees and officials of the oil and gas industry, His Eminence said that the valuable and outstanding activities of Iran's oil and gas industry are a source of pride for the Iranian nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that it is necessary for government officials of the country to change their outlook on oil, further stressing: "According to the development plan, oil must gradually be excluded from among the sources of national income and it must turn into a source for bringing about economic progress and power for Iran. Government officials must seriously pursue this correct and wise policy of the Islamic Republic."
His Eminence said that it is unwise to spend the oil revenues on running the daily matters of the country. He added: "We must channel the oil revenues into a national source of funds and a long-term investment, in which case our oil reserves and resources will become a strong point for the country."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the establishment of the National Development Fund and described it as a significant decision. "According to the fifth development plan, at least 20 percent of our annual oil revenues must be transferred to the fund so that it can be spent on production and industry. Fortunately, this process has already started and it must continue."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that in current conditions, oil revenues are a weak point for the majority of the oil-producing countries in the world and added: "The countries that sell their oil on the basis of the needs and policies of western companies and make no efforts to acquire advanced knowledge and to develop indigenous industry, might fill the pockets of their rulers, but they do not gain any true profits because the day they run out of oil, they will be reduced to an undeveloped country."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution explained: "We need to act in a way that in all conditions we can make independent decisions about the amount of production and sale on the basis of our own interests. Of course, we have moved forward on this path to a large extent and by Allah's favor, this goal will be fully achieved in the future and the Islamic Republic will turn into a role model for other countries."
Elsewhere in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his gratitude for the jihad-like and praise-worthy activities of the scientists, officials and employees of the oil and gas sector. He reiterated: "In terms of oil and gas reserves, Iran ranks first in the world and it is necessary to achieve the highest position in the world in terms of oil and gas science and technology by relying on the efforts and determination of those who are active in the oil and gas industry."
His Eminence stressed the need for research in order to achieve scientific and technological progress in the oil and gas industry and stated that it is necessary to utilize the capacities of all academic and research centers of the country in this regard. "Whatever the oil and gas industry depends on, we must try to produce it inside the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that reliance on innovations will result in a quantum leap in the oil and gas industry and that it will prepare the ground for improving collective human knowledge in this regard. He reiterated: "As the experience of our youth has proven in certain areas, the blossoming and prodigious talents of Iranian youth can make it possible to fully implement the slogan of ‘we can' in all areas and those who are active in the oil industry should delineate such prospects for themselves."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that efficient and well-organized utilization of the capacities of all industries in the country will accelerate the progress of Iran's oil and gas industry. Ayatollah Khamenei further added that it is necessary to make the best of the oil and gas fields that Iran shares with its neighbors.