99% of the refining industry is in the hands of the government; the real private sector is still absent

According to Energy Press, Hamed Kaviani, referring to the urgent need for real private sector activity in the refining industry, told the Press Club: “Unfortunately, this year less than one percent of the refining industry will be a real private sector playground, and 99 percent of the players in this industry are state-owned or quasi-state.” He added: “A refinery whose shareholders are banks or government-affiliated entities is not truly private. Policymakers need to pay special attention to this issue and activate the private sector in the true sense of the word in the refining industry. This can achieve 8 percent economic growth in the Seventh Plan Law by creating jobs and participating in ensuring national security, ensuring energy security, and energy diplomacy.”