Iran's Central Bank tightens conditions for importing goods into the country
The Central Bank has set new conditions for importing goods into Iran, according to which the source of foreign exchange for imports must be specified.
These regulations, which make the conditions for importing goods into the country more difficult, were issued with the aim of returning foreign exchange from exports to the country and reducing the outflow of foreign exchange from Iran.
According to the Central Bank's new announcement, exporters can return their currency to the country in several ways, including offering it on the NIMA system or importing it in the form of dollar banknotes.
Previously, exporters of goods had to transfer their foreign exchange earnings abroad to the NIMA system, which is almost similar to a money transfer agency, so that importers could purchase goods from abroad from this source.
However, it was previously announced that many exporters were refusing to transfer export revenues to this system.
Exporters can also import goods using the foreign exchange earned from their exports.
According to this announcement, people who claim to have foreign currency abroad can also provide it to importers.
The Central Bank had previously announced that it welcomes the inflow of foreign exchange resources in this way, but "on condition that the flow of foreign exchange inflow and consumption and its origin are completely transparent."
Tasnim news agency and some Iranian media outlets interpreted the central bank's new announcement as a ban on imports into Iran without providing foreign exchange. The bank announced in another announcement that foreign exchange "will not be allocated" for some goods.
Meanwhile, Hossein Modarres Khiabani, Acting Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, has said that with the coordination and supervision of the Central Bank, it will be possible to import raw materials for manufacturing factories without providing foreign exchange.
Mr. Modarres Khiabani did not explain from where the foreign exchange needed to import raw materials for industries will be obtained.
The Minister of Economy and other government officials have previously said that half of the foreign exchange earned from exports will not return to the country.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 17, at a meeting of the National Task Force to Combat Corona, Hassan Rouhani said that foreign exchange earned from exports should be returned to the country.
The Iranian President emphasized: "If we focus on oil, we will run into problems, but if we focus on patriotic exporters, we will have no problems."
The Central Bank of Iran's announcement did not state in what currency the import of basic goods, including food, would be made. The import of these goods is currently done in the state currency.
Meanwhile, in recent years, numerous cases have been opened in the Iranian judiciary regarding the receipt of government currency and the failure to import goods in exchange for it.
Source: Radio Farda
