Economic Symposium at Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce Report Released

Featuring Professor Manoussi from the University of Ottawa in the Industry, Mining, Transport, and Agriculture Commission Meeting

In a special report from Iran-Canada, the event began with Ahmad Pourfallah, President of the Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce, welcoming Professor Akbar Manoussi as the keynote speaker. Pourfallah provided a brief overview of Professor Manoussi’s distinguished academic and professional background at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University in Canada and invited him to share his experiences and achievements with the attendees.

The meeting, attended by Professor Akbar Manoussi, emeritus professor at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, the President and Secretary-General of the Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce, and the executive board and members of the Industry, Mining, Transport, and Agriculture Commission, also included several prominent industrial and economic leaders. Key figures present were Ahmad Pourfallah, President of the Chamber, Leeda Shahabi, Secretary-General, Dr. Reza Peiman-Salimi, CEO of Persia Jam Engineering Company and Commission Chairman, Javad Erfaniaan Azimzadeh, CEO of Niroo Rameshir Engineering and Trading Company and First Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Saeed Herasini, CEO of Sarin Farm Sabz and Second Vice-Chairman of the Commission, and Mitra Ensafjoo, Commission Secretary.

Professor Manoussi expressed his delight at the opportunity to speak at the Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce and to engage with leading entrepreneurs and industrialists. He reflected on his extensive experience in Canada, describing it as a vast country with abundant natural resources, advanced financial and industrial infrastructure, and political and economic stability. Manoussi emphasized Canada’s multicultural society and rule of law, making it an unparalleled choice for living, working, and investing compared to other developed, immigrant-friendly countries.

Drawing from his extensive travels across Iran and his deep understanding of its economic and political landscape, Professor Manoussi highlighted the significant progress made in higher education, women’s and youth empowerment over recent decades. He praised the vital role of chambers of commerce in driving economic development and called for essential measures to improve international economic relations.

He then shared his recent experience as an invited speaker at a significant symposium at the University of Tehran’s Center for International Studies, which focused on Iran-West relations. He criticized Europe’s alignment with U.S. sanctions, which have negatively impacted economic, social, scientific, and cultural sectors, and stressed the importance of seizing opportunities and striving to overcome these challenges. Despite the discouraging remarks from European ambassadors, Manoussi remained optimistic about pursuing alternative paths and leveraging Canada’s dynamic economy as a solution. He advocated for reviving economic relations with Canada, citing past successful collaborations in finance, industry, and agriculture.

Manoussi emphasized the need for the Iran-Canada Chamber of Commerce to strengthen its efforts and elaborated on investment opportunities and the necessity of economic collaboration. He analyzed the current state of Iran’s economy, underscoring the critical roles of the Central Bank and the Chamber of Commerce in the nation’s financial and economic policies. He called for the Central Bank’s independence as a benchmark for national development and progress.

Sharing insights from his recent provincial visits, Professor Manoussi outlined fundamental strategies for improving the economy and societal welfare, including:

• Extensive investment in infrastructure development
• Utilizing foreign policies to stimulate economic growth
• Attracting foreign investment and ensuring financial security for investors
• Normalizing financial and banking relations with other countries as essential for economic development
• Active participation in international economic organizations like the World Trade Organization
• Upgrading oil infrastructure and adopting advanced technologies in the oil industry
• Creating favorable conditions for increasing oil exports
• Providing transparent, stable, and continuous support for private sector activities
• Creating favorable conditions for exports through clear and consistent financial, monetary, economic, and tax policies
• Promoting a culture of diplomacy and engagement with reasonable and balanced countries

Professor Manoussi also announced collaboration with the National Development Fund on major oil, gas, and petrochemical projects and partnership with the Free Zones Organization to establish a global economic interaction center on Kish Island. He credited these initiatives to the efforts of his strategic team in Canada.