IRNA � Presidential candidate Mostafa Agha-Mirsalim stressed on execution of Resistance Economy policies outlined by the Supreme Leader and adopting indigenous economic policies to remove the economic problems.


He made the remarks during the third group debate of presidential candidates aired on the state television Friday evening with economic issues in the spotlight.

Mirsalim criticized smuggling of 12 billions dollars of foreign commodities into the country and cautioned decision makers about its adverse effect on production sector.

He said decrease of crude oil export is one of its long and medium term programs, adding that the revenues of crude oil export should be used only for buying basic needs.

The presidential candidate urged negotiation with Iraq and Qatar on joint oil and gas fields, noting, �We should not compete for extraction of oil and gas from joint fields.�

He blamed the incumbent government for not using the opportunity of nuclear deal, noting that he will use the opportunity to develop exports.

The presidential candidate underlined improvement of downstream sector in order to produce and export value added products.

Mirsalim referred to embezzlement scandals in the banking fields, adding that the government should adopt serious measures to regulate banking field in particular the big loans paid to individuals.

He also censured the current government for increase of imports from China and Turkey, adding that instead of trying to absorb foreign investment, the government should use the non-working capital.

Mirsalim said that the government should allocate much more subsidies to the production sector.

The presidential candidate called for execution of general policies of article 44 of the Constitution and said that the current administrative approach is not transparent.

Just one week before Iran�s 12th presidential elections, the six candidates held their third group debate on Friday.

The three-hour debate, carried live on state radio and television channels, focused on economic issues of the country.

Ebrahim Raeisi, the custodian of Imam Reza (AS) holy shrine, Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former minister of culture and Islamic guidance Mostafa Mirsalim and former minister of physical education Mostafa Hashemi Taba, as well as President Hassan Rouhani are the six candidates to compete in May 19 presidential elections.

The six candidates have already had two other debates, the first one was held two weeks ago with its main focus on social and economic issues and the other one last Friday on political and cultural issues of the nation.

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution which led to the fall of the Pahlavi regime, Iran has held one election each year on average, all of which have witnessed large turnout of the people.

Over 56 million Iranians are eligible to vote in Iran's 12th presidential elections, according to Ali Asghar Ahmadi, head of the Election Headquarters of the Interior Ministry.