Babak Negahdari, head of the Research Center of the Parliament, addressed the existing problems in public sector companies during a meeting attended by the heads of the three branches of government and announced a plan for the organization and chain management of these companies. He emphasized that the current situation of these companies is by no means satisfactory and requires serious review and reforms.
Structural Challenges in Public Companies
Negahdari explained that the issue is not limited to the profitability or loss of a few companies. He pointed to a set of structural challenges that include weak investment, fragmentation of ownership and management, managerial instability, weak performance evaluation systems, and in some cases, a lack of alignment between investment decisions and the macroeconomic needs. These problems not only affect the performance of the companies themselves but also cast a shadow over the entire economy of the country.
Public Sector Control over Key Industries
According to Negahdari's statements, in key industries such as telecommunications, almost the entire industry is under the control of the public sector. Particularly in the oil refining sector, this control is close to 100%, and in the petrochemical industry, it is over 90%. Additionally, in the cement industry, about 70% of the control also belongs to this sector. This situation indicates that the public sector has a dominating role in many of the country's main industries, and there is a need for serious reconsideration of its structure and management.
Negahdari further pointed out that these issues could lead to a decrease in efficiency and productivity in these industries and ultimately would not benefit the national economy. While other countries have improved the performance of their industries by utilizing optimization and privatization strategies, Iran still faces serious challenges in this area.
The Necessity of Fundamental Reforms
Given what Babak Negahdari has raised, the necessity for fundamental reforms in the structure and management of public sector companies is clearly felt. He emphasized that to improve the current conditions, decision-makers need to reconsider policies and programs and instead of focusing on short-term profitability, seek sustainable and long-term solutions.
Ultimately, Negahdari hopes that with the cooperation and collaboration of the heads of the three branches and other relevant institutions, steps can be taken to improve the situation of public sector companies, especially in the key industries of the country. This issue will not only benefit the companies but will also contribute to the sustainable growth and development of the national economy.
