The Minister of Economy must be a politician.
The Minister of Economy must be a politician.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance is one of the most challenging and sensitive ministries both in terms of expertise and politics. The Minister of Economy must have sufficient mastery of economic knowledge, high managerial ability to manage complex structures, and a deep political understanding to withstand pressures and unwarranted interventions from various institutions.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance is one of the most important executive bodies in the country, with a wide and diverse range of responsibilities. Part of these responsibilities involves managing the government’s assets, which is why this ministry is often referred to by its full name.
One of the important missions of this ministry is holding assemblies of state-owned companies and playing a role in appointing their managers. Many large companies, such as Bank Melli and Bank Sepah, are considered state-owned subsidiaries, while others, like Bank Mellat, are semi-state-owned. The Minister of Economy plays a very key role in this area, both in selecting managers and in policymaking and determining the fate of these companies’ ownership, whether to continue state operations or to divest.
Given its breadth and complexity, this responsibility requires high managerial ability, sufficient experience, and effective negotiation power with various political and executive bodies.
It must be noted that there are significant interests in many of these companies, and various organizations and institutions strive to maintain or expand their influence over them. Therefore, the Minister of Economy must be able to withstand these pressures and prevent undue interference.
On the other hand, the National Tax Administration and the Customs Administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran also operate under the Ministry of Economy.
The National Tax Administration is currently under heavy pressure to increase government tax revenues.
However, the main issue is that tax collection should be based on justice, efficiency, and a proper understanding of the people’s economic conditions. These taxes should not merely be tools for government budget provision but should consider their impacts on inflation, people’s purchasing power, and the living conditions of various social groups.
In this area, the Minister of Economy must have specialized knowledge in taxation and, at the same time, enough courage to defend the people’s rights. He should not merely be a tool for the government to exert tax pressure on the people but should act as a regulator and overseer of national interests.
Another important organization under the supervision of this ministry is the Securities and Exchange Organization. The capital market should be one of the pillars of financing in the country, but unfortunately, in Iran, this market is largely limited to the stock market, and other sections, including the debt market, remain very weak.
Private companies also find it difficult to use this market for financing and rely more on the banking network.
In this regard, the Minister of Economy must have a full understanding of modern financing tools and be able to implement effective policies to develop the capital market.
Unfortunately, Iran’s capital market lags behind peer countries like the Gulf countries or Turkey. Of course, this issue should be stated carefully and without emotional stances so that the officials accept it and take steps to address it.
In addition to these important duties, the Ministry of Economy has other vital missions, such as improving the business environment, managing government debts, guiding the national treasury (although planning is done in the Planning and Budget Organization, the treasury is responsible for the allocation and release of resources), and overseeing the government accounting and auditing system.
Overall, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance is one of the most challenging and sensitive ministries both in terms of expertise and politics.
The Minister of Economy must have sufficient mastery of economic knowledge, high managerial ability to manage complex structures, and a deep political understanding to withstand pressures and unwarranted interventions from various institutions. He must be an experienced politician to avoid becoming a pawn in political currents and special interests.
Otherwise, he cannot guide this vital ministry on the right path.
