Business Environment Improves

Financial Tribune – Iran’s National Business Environment Index has improved in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (March 21-June 21) compared to the previous quarter, according to the results of a country-wide study undertaken by Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

The index reached 5.69 points this spring, which signifies a slight improvement compared to last winter’s 5.83 on the back of better economic factors, ICCIMA reported on its website.

The index calculated by ICCIMA measures business friendliness of Iran’s economy, with 10 indicating the worst grade. The lower the figure, the better the business environment.

The data were collected from 1,700 subsidiary businesses of ICCIMA, Iran Chamber of Cooperatives and Iran Chamber of Guilds using computer-assisted telephone and web interviewing.

The respondents pointed to financing difficulties, unfair taxing practices and unpredictable fluctuations in raw materials and products’ prices as the most undesirable economic factors affecting Iran’s business environment.

On the other hand, access to electricity, gas and internet were identified as the three most prominent factors in improving the environment.