Iran’s sell-off goes full circle

Iran’s privatization programme is putting shares in the hands of quasi-state organizations. That’s partly because the domestic private sector is starved of funds and foreign investment is hampered by US sanctions and local restrictions. Mainly, though, it’s because the ruling elite wants to retain control. Angus McDowall reports.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: no desire to understand economics  

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: no desire to understand economics

WHEN HALF THE shares in Iran’s state telecom company were put on sale on September 9, the move was hailed as a great leap forward for the country’s programme of economic liberalization. “This is the biggest government company to be sold so far so it’s very important,” says Behrouz Alishiri, head of international affairs at the ministry of finance. “It’s worth about 20% of everything the government has privatized.

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