The Need to Address Economic Damage Caused by Internet Filtering
Citing the Public Relations Office of the Khorasan Razavi Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Ali Shariati Moghadam emphasized that the global economy has long recognized the added value generated by intellectual property rights and patents as a significant economic driver. “In Iran,” he said, “this area needs cultural development, education, and legal support to become a productive economic stream.”
Heavy Losses from Internet Restrictions
Shariati Moghadam also highlighted the severe impact of internet filtering on Iran’s economy, noting that poor digital‑service quality has inflicted major harm on businesses. According to a report by the Research Center of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, filtering costs entrepreneurs and business owners nearly 39 trillion tomans per month.
He explained that these losses extend beyond monetary damage — they also represent lost opportunities and diminishing hope among Iran’s private‑sector players.
Smuggling and Faulty Trade Policies
Turning to the issue of saffron smuggling, Shariati Moghadam attributed it to flawed economic and customs regulations. Multiple exchange‑rate policies and the undervalued customs pricing of saffron have encouraged illicit trade in the product.
Within the Article 16 Customs Valuation Committee, saffron’s declared customs value stands 40 percent below its market price and even below the rate set by the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad for procurement purposes.
“We proved that this figure is wrong,” he said, “but unilateral decision‑making by the Central Bank and the Foreign‑Exchange Dispute Resolution Committee continues to persist, ultimately depriving exporters of their competitive power.”
Original Title: The Need to Address Economic Damage Caused by Internet Filtering
Source: Khorasan Razavi Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture
Publication Date: December 5, 2024 (15 Azar 1403)
Original Link: https://news.mccima.com/41278/
