Abstract After finalizing the JCPOA working framework with the world powers in July, given the critical role of global economic integration in Iran’s new economic strategy, finalizing WTO membership has become a top priority for the Iranian government. As the largest non-member economy in the world, Iran’s full membership will be a win-win situation for the global economy. Iran applied for WTO membership in July 1996, but progress has been glacial. The WTO only began to consider its membershi... Read More

Abstract With accelerated growth of international trade and increasing inclination toward trade liberalization and open economic policies in the past decade, the importance of formulating a comprehensive trade policy package cannot be overemphasized. However, for years, Iranian policymakers have neglected the need for a comprehensive document, which would detail Iranian trade policies in different sectors and explain how they relate to other policy goals of the country such as industrial and ... Read More

Abstract Global trends indicate that industries affiliated with the healthcare technology, with a net profit margin of %21, ranked among the most profitable industries in 2015. The aging population in the developed countries, increasing healthcare expenditure and technology improvements are among the major contributors to this trend. Iran, as a developing economy, has ambitions to transform itself into a knowledge-based economy and Iranian policymakers are trying to find knowledge-intensive i... Read More

Abstract Three main categories of Iranian petrochemical industries, upstream, mid-stream and downstream, exhibit extremely different behavior in terms of their added-value, employment, product diversification and technological development. It is soundly established in ITSR’s previous studies that moving down the petrochemical supply chain, positive impacts of aforementioned variables are reinforced. However, Iranian petrochemical policies have mainly focused on developing upstream projects, g... Read More

Abstract The project explores the policy space available for Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) to formulate competitiveness-enhancing solutions for Iranian mining industry.... Read More

Abstract Cheap credit is considered to be the main determinant of growth in these sectors. Therefore strengthening development banks, harnessing inflation and avoiding substitution effects between resources from public and private investors, are recommended. ​​... Read More

Abstract Legal and administrative challenges, along with nascent investments in infrastructure and business organization have hindered the emergence of flourishing businesses in border-based trade terminals, except for those with a focus on low-end services.... Read More

Abstract Steel and pharmaceutical industries were investigated to define the potential candidates for mergers, along with a comprehensive  analysis of legal and organizational challenges of implementing such initiatives. A policy  package is proposed to facilitate mergers in these two industries... Read More

Abstract The absence of bilateral free-trade agreements is the main obstacle in expanding Iranian products in these markets.  Moreover, coordination of political and trade diplomacy could prepare the ground for long-term and prosperous trade relations.... Read More

Abstract The Iranian retail market is dominated by small and traditional micro-retailers. The productivity costs of this structure  could not be neglected, especially given the costs it imposes on the end consumer. This research explores pragmatic models to scale up these small retailers.... Read More