Rouhani : New Phase Begun In Economy, Culture, Foreign Policy

Tehran, March 30, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday the government has introduced a new challenge into economy, culture and foreign policy. In a meeting with a number of his cabinet ministers, deputies and managing-directors of executive organizations on the occasion of Nowrouz, Persian new year, Rouhani said the rise in the prices of commodities, which are usual on the last days of every year, were reportedly less this year compared to those in the previous years. The president said Iran has gained nearly 1.48 trillion rials in revenues last year, while it was estimated that Iran could only gain 1.30 trillion rials. Rouhani termed the governmentˈs steps in foreign policy sector as ˈa good startˈ and said a lot is yet to be done. An old friendship can be destroyed by a speech or statement, Rouhani said, but he added that to rebuild a lost trust is difficult and takes a long time. He pledged to curb inflation to a great extent in the new year. However, he said, to do so largely depends on real prosperity in economic sector and good relations with the world. The president said the government is determined to implement the second phase of Subsidy Reform Plan in the new year, while assuring the nation that the pace of price hike as a result of implementation of the plan would not be so grave to cause an economic shock for the people./end