Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, announced the general policies on the economy of resistance on the basis of Clause 1 in Article 110 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Expediency Council. The text of the policies was issued to heads of the three government branches and to the head of the Expediency Council. The following is the full text of the policies issued on February 18, 2014.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Considering the abundant worldly and otherworldly gifts that Islamic Iran has: its rich and diverse resources, numerous infrastructures, and most importantly its access to committed and efficient manpower with firm determination for progress;--if it follows a domestic and scientific paradigm on economy that originates from a revolutionary and Islamic culture, in other words, the Economy of Resistance; then not only will it overcome all economic problems and force the enemy (who has deployed his forces against this great nation by imposing an all-out economic war) into retreat and defeat; but it will also manage to achieve an economy based on science, technology and justice; which grows from the inside, which looks at the outside, which is dynamic and which assumes a pioneering role.
This will happen by preserving the achievements of the country in various areas: by continuing to progress and by implementing our ideals--the principles of the Constitution and the 20-year strategic plan. It will also be able to produce an inspiring paradigm on the economic system of Islam. All this will happen in a world in which various dangers and insecurities stemming from overwhelming developments – such as financial, economic, and political crises and the like – are on the rise.
After careful contemplation and consultation with the Expediency Council, the general policies on the Economy of Resistance – which have been prepared as a continuation of and complement to prior policies, in particular, the general policies on the article 44 of the Constitution, and which reveal accurate movement of the country’s economy towards these lofty goals – are announced.
It’s necessary for the country’s [three] branches to embark upon its immediate implementation by drawing up specific timetables. By formulating the necessary rules and regulations and by preparing a roadmap for various arenas; they should prepare the groundwork for the people and all economic activists to play their role in this Holy Jihad, extensively; so that, by Allah's favor, the economic epoch of the great Iranian nation – like its political epoch -- will shine in front of all eyes around the world.
I ask Allah the Exalted to help everyone succeed in carrying out this important task.
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
February 18, 2014
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The General Policies on the Economy of Resistance:
In light of achieving continual growth, improving the Economy of Resistance’s standards and attaining the goals specified in the 20-year strategic plan, the general policies on the Economy of Resistance are thus announced by adopting an outlook which is based on international developments, flexibility, creation of opportunities, generation of chances, growth from the inside, revolutionary works and tendency towards the outside:
1. Providing all the requirements and activating all financial, human, and scientific resources of the country with the purpose of creating job opportunities; maximizing the participation of all individuals of society with economic activities by facilitating and encouraging mutual cooperation; and stressing an increase in income while highlighting the role of those classes among society with low and average income.
2. Helping a knowledge-based economy to play ground-breaking roles; implementing and launching a comprehensive scientific-based plan for the country; organizing the national system of innovation with the purpose of improving the international position of the country; boosting production, export and knowledge-based services and achieving the first rank in the region in the area of a knowledge-based economy.
3. Giving a pivotal role to the growth of profitability in the economy by strengthening the elements of production; empowering manpower, increasing competitiveness in the economy, creating competition between different regions and provinces; and utilizing the diverse capacities and capabilities of all areas in the country--in terms of their geographical privileges.
4. Benefitting from the capacity of "the subsidies redistribution program" in the direction of increasing production, employment and profitability; decreasing the intensity of energy and improving the standards of social justice.
5. Helping all elements to receive a fair share in the chain of production-consumption, in proportion to their role in creating value; particularly, by increasing the share of human resources through improving education, skill, creativity, entrepreneurship and experience.
6. Increasing the domestic manufacture of fundamental goods and products (particularly those products which are imported); prioritizing the manufacture of strategic products and services; and creating diversity in regards with the channels that provide imports, with the purpose of decreasing dependence on a few specific countries.
7. Ensuring the security and availability of food and medical treatment; and creating strategic provisions and resources by stressing a quantitative and qualitative increase in production (basic ingredients and substances).
8. The management of consumption by emphasizing the general policies on reforming the norms of consumption; and promoting the use of domestic products; as well as formulating plans for improving quality and increasing competitiveness in the area of production.
9. Reforming and strengthening the financial system of the country in a comprehensive manner with the goal of responding to the needs of the national economy; creating stability in the national economy and playing a leading role in strengthening the real sector.
10. Providing all-out and purposeful support to the exportation of products and services in proportion to added value and net positive return through:
- Facilitating the regulations and increasing the necessary incentives
- Increasing the services of foreign finance; and developing transit and essential infrastructures
- Encouraging foreign investment on exportation
- Planning on national production in proportion to the needs of exportation; shaping the new markets; and creating diversity in regards to our economic bonds with other countries – in particular with regional countries.
- Using barter systems for facilitating transactions if needed.
- Creating stability in the procedures and regulations for exports with the goal of continuously increasing Iran's share in target markets.
11. Expanding the scope of action among free and special trade zones of the country with the aim of transferring advanced technologies; boosting and facilitating production, exportation, and other services; meeting urgent needs and providing financial resources from outside the country.
12. Increasing the power of resistance and reducing the vulnerability of the country's economy through:
- Developing strategic relations; and expanding cooperation and interaction with regional and non-regional countries, particularly with neighboring countries
- Utilizing diplomacy in the direction of supporting economic goals
- Benefitting from the capacities of international and regional organizations
13. Confronting the vulnerability that stems from oil and gas revenues through:
- Selecting strategic customers
- Creating diversity in sale methods
- Involving the private sector in sales
- Increasing gas exports
- Increasing electricity exports
- Increasing petrochemical exports
- Increasing the export of oil products
14. Increasing strategic oil and gas reserves in the country with the aim of exerting influence on the global oil and gas market; and emphasizing the preservation and expansion of capacities related to the production of oil and gas, particularly, in common reserves.
15. Increasing added value through completing the chain of value in the oil and gas industry; boosting the manufacture of products which have optimum output (on the basis of the energy intensity measurement); and increasing electricity, petro chemistry and oil exports by emphasizing the correct use of resources.
16. Economizing on public expenditure by stressing a fundamental change in structures; rationalizing the size of the administration; and eliminating parallel and unnecessary organizations and unnecessary expenditures.
17. Reforming the revenue system of the administration by increasing its share of tax revenues.
18. Increasing the share of the National Development Fund on a yearly basis through revenues coming from oil and gas exports; and continuing this until the budget of the country is completely independent from oil revenues.
19. Making the economy transparent and healthy; and preventing those measures and activities that lead to corruption in monetary, financial, fiscal and other such areas.
20. Strengthening a culture of jihad (selfless endeavors) in producing added value; and in creating wealth, profitability, entrepreneurship, investment and productive employment; and awarding a medal of "Economy of Resistance," to the individuals who have rendered valuable services in this area.
21. Clarifying the various dimensions of the Economy of Resistance and creating a discourse regarding it; particularly in scientific and educational environments; and among media; then turning it into an all-embracing and common discourse among the people.
22. The administration is responsible for adopting the following measures with the aim of implementing the general policies on the economy of resistance by coordinating and gathering all the resources of the country:
- Identifying and utilizing scientific, technical, and economic capacities for the sake of achieving offensive capabilities; and adopting the necessary measures in this area.
- Observing sanctions programs and increasing the enemy's expenses.
- Managing economic perils by preparing intelligent, active, quick and timely reaction plans when burdened with domestic and foreign perils and interferences.
23. Facilitating and creating transparency on the system of distribution; and pricing and updating the methods for supervising the market.
24. Providing standard coverage for all domestic products and promoting them.
