EghtesadOnline: Economic expert Hamid Azarmand believes that the government’s desire to regain a tighter grip over local markets is the underlying motivation for separating the trade wing of the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade and establishing a new ministry.

EghtesadOnline: Iran’s widening budget deficit, resulting mostly from fundamental budgetary issues, has raised concerns that bigger financial problems could emerge in the future for the government that is already facing serious challenges in terms of resources.

EghtesadOnline: What if American sanctions remain in place for the next year? Will their effects be any worse than what was experienced in the past two years? How is it possible to enhance economic stability under sanctions?

EghtesadOnline: The recession predicted for the last fiscal year (March 2018-19) turned out to be deeper than expected and proved to be worse than what can be blamed on causes of economic contraction.

EghtesadOnline: Iranian economist Hamid Azarmand believes that the gravest concern about the future of Iran’s economy is for the government to question economic reforms.

EghtesadOnline: The Iranian mining sector has a lot to boast about. With huge untapped reserves, cheap energy and skilled workforce, the industry seems set to be a major driver of the economy.