Iran Press/ Iran News: The official workload of Iranian parliament (Majlis ) on Sunday ( 2 September 2018 ) is as follows:
(1) Live debates regarding a report by the "economic commission" of the Majlis, which calls for setting up eight commercial-industrial zones, and 12 special economic zones
(2) Review of a bill for development of villages and rural communities in Iran.
(3) Review of a report by the "law and legislative commission" of the Majlis, which calls for toughening up of laws dealing with corruption and financial fraud , as well as giving new powers to government department overseeing and regulating market prices.
(4) Review of a report by the "industry and mines commission" of the Majlis, looking into regulations governing cars and automobiles market
(5) Review of a report by the "agricultural commission" of the parliament (Majlis).
Special Economic and Commercial-Industrial Zones
The Islamic Legislative Assembly introduces a bill to set up special economic zones and free trade zones. Voting has started on a bill to set up eight commercial-industrial zones, and 12 special economic zones, with 266 MPs voting on this bill.
161 MPs voted in favour of the bill, 75 MPs voted against, and 7 abstained from voting.
The Islamic Legislative Assembly (Iranian Parliament) introduced a bill to set up special economic zones and free trade zones on Sunday, 2 September 2018.
Before voting, opposing and supporting deputies engaged in lively debates about the bill.
Iranian MP Alireza Mahjoub, as an opposing deputy said that setting up new commercial-industrial zones means increasing demand for foreign currencies. These zones are defined by the amount of goods exchanged, so increasing demand for foreign currencies will be the final result of this bill.
With the passage of the bill, tax breaks will occur and the country's revenues are drastically reduced, which is contrary to the law and requires two-thirds of the votes of the deputies, he added.
As a supporting speaker, Abdolhamid Khedri said that The Research Center and Economic Commission has conducted professional discussions on this bill at many meetings.
He added that some believe the creation of these areas will result withdrawal of foreign currencies from the country, but in fact these regions will promote export and increase jobs in the country.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani stressed that proposals imposing financial commitments to the government cannot be verified.
He added that setting up new commercial-industrial and economic zones have financial burdens and representatives cannot make any suggestions on this, unless the government present this issue in the form of a bill.
Provision of Essential Goods and Commodities
The Iranian parliament has approved a doubly-urgent bill for provision of essential goods and commodities. A vote took place, and a total of 221 MPs voted, with 159 MPs voting in favour of the bill, 34 voting against, and 4 abstained from voting.
Final approval of the bill would mean the government is legally required to provide all the essential items and commodities needed by families at "a reasonable price". The price of essential items and commodities must be approved by the "Organization for Support of Consumers and Manufacturers."
The official session of the Iranian parliament on Sunday 2 September 2018 drew to a close. The next official session of the Majlis will be held on Tuesday 4 September.
