Iran Finance Minister declares strategic reform in banking system
Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Tahmasb Mazaheri declared on Saturday that 40 percent of the strategic banking reform consisting of 26 basic and 100 operational projects, which have been underway for one and a half years, is now completed, IRNA reported from Tehran.
He told IRNA that improvement of the operating system of national banking network and optimization of the presented services is one of the continuous programs of the banking system.
Mazaheri referred to implementation of phone banks, common checks, inter-bank cash transfer, payment of water, electricity, telephone and gas bills through internet and project on making Iran check acceptable to all banks as some of the continuous services to be presented to clients.
"Optimized banking system and presenting better service to clients are part of the constantly pursued banking strategic reform projects, which prompt banks to compete against one another in attempt to satisfy their clients," he added.
The official added that ways of running state banks is one of the reform projects, whose draft is currently being examined by Majlis commissions.
He hoped that Majlis will soon ratify the draft on banking reform to enable banks to be more flexible in banking management and enjoy more strict discipline in their decision-making process.
http://www.payvand.com/news/03/aug/1158.htmlOpen for Business
Iran may soon be the first of several countries to join the nuclear club, with the help of Russian expertise
By Eve Conant and Adam Piore
NEWSWEEK INTERNATIONAL
Sept. 8 issue — They call it the “Berlin Wall.” It’s a plain, six-foot-high concrete barrier that bisects an unnamed village outside the Iranian city of Bushehr. On one side, about 1,500 Iranians live under Sharia—they lead quiet, spartan lives of work and prayer at the local mosque, with men and women strictly segregated. A few feet away on the other side of the wall, a rollicking population of 800 or so Russians and Ukrainians swill homemade moonshine and carouse late into the night.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/959468.asp?cp1=1