New | End international isolation for economy to boom, Iran president tells Tehran conference
Attracting foreign investment key to building Iran's economy, Hassan Rowhani tells economic conference in Tehran, as negotiations continue over Tehran's nuclear programme
Iran’s President Hassan Rowhani said on Sunday that foreign investors should no longer be viewed as a threat and signalled his country’s decades-long isolation from the world economy could soon end.
Speaking at an economic conference in Tehran, he said the Islamic republic would not give up its principles but it would be better placed to conclusively emerge from recession if it opened up.
Iran is engaged in long-running negotiations with world powers aimed at a comprehensive deal over its disputed nuclear programme which, if successful, will likely result in an investment boom.
A key point in any agreement would be the lifting of wide-ranging sanctions – imposed on Iran as punishment for its atomic activities – blamed for neutering its oil- and gas-rich economy.
“The time is past when it used to be said that if a foreign investor comes to Iran, our independence will be in danger.”
Rowhani said Iran wanted “lasting and sustainable development” and if it was to escape the recent years of “constriction” caused by its foreign policy then change was necessary.
