Aref: Banking's contribution to the country's progress should be pathologized

According to Ashura News, quoted by Mehr reporter, Mohammad Reza Aref, First Vice President, at the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of Bank Sepah, while congratulating the decade of dignity, said: The purpose of my presence at this ceremony is to thank the dear bankers of our country as a key and sensitive sector in serving the country and its economy and participating in the country's development programs.

Noting that Bank Sepah is the first Iranian bank, he added: Bank Sepah has a good history and reputation among the people and has had a history of honor, trust and pride.

Aref emphasized: While honoring a century of efforts by Bank Sepah, we need to review the role of the country's banking network in the country's progress and development programs and what contribution the banking network has had and what contribution it can have.

The First Vice President stated: In such meetings, a pathology should be analyzed to see whether the banking network could have had a greater contribution to the country's development and progress, and what should be done to make it so.

He stated: Bank Sepah is not just a calendar event, but rather a deep-rooted manifestation of the stability and role-playing of an institution that has played a role in the growth and implementation of the country's economy in various eras, alongside the nation and the government. Bank Sepah, as the first bank in Iran, has been not only a financial institution, but also an influential player in the strategic equations of the country's economic development throughout all the ups and downs of contemporary history; a topic that was also mentioned in the short remarks of the bank's CEO.

Aref emphasized: The fact is that in the past four to five decades, that is, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Bank Sepah's presence in difficult issues and challenges has been effective and impressive. Bank Sepah's role in the eight years of sacred defense and also in the past decade in issues such as the merger of five defense sector banks has been successful and significant, despite the heavy workload, problems, and concerns; the bank coped with this task well; On the one hand, the deposit trust, on the other hand, maintaining the banking format in the country, and also respecting the dignity of the institutions to which these banks were affiliated, were properly carried out.

The First Vice President noted: In other sectors, including financing the government during the crisis years, playing a role in the defense economy during the war, and participating in infrastructure projects, the performance of Bank Sepah has been outstanding. In this short visit, it was clear how the successful merger of five military banks in the last decade has been reflected in the assessments.

Aref said: Naturally, celebrations and assessments are made in accordance with the field of activity of that institution; just as in a political institution, the centennial celebration is a sign of the durability of political power, in a bank like Sepah, this celebration is a mirror of the history of the country's economy, problems, progress, and achievements, part of which is owed to the banking network and specifically Bank Sepah.

He continued: Today, we do not just want to light the 100th candle for this institution, but also to ignite a flame of hope, innovation, and courage for its second century. God willing, we will take steps on this path, which is the path of excellence for the bank, contributing to the country's network, and at the same time a historical compulsion.

The First Vice President clarified: If any institution, whether a bank or any other institution, wants to survive and be effective, without innovation and with a classic approach and a mere look at the past, its possibility of being present in the future is almost zero.

He said: Smartization, intelligence, and the use of artificial intelligence are not slogans, but a definite necessity. These concepts express the exploitation of the latest achievements of advanced technologies in the affairs of national administration, development, and construction.

Aref emphasized: We thank God that during the development programs after the Islamic Revolution, with varying successes, we came to the conclusion that we cannot simply be observers of technology; Because this situation ultimately leads to dependence and the imposition of heavy costs. In the vision document, a clear horizon has been drawn for the country. Even if we do not achieve its goals in the stipulated time, those goals will remain. The most important message of the vision document in the technology sector is to pay attention to advanced technologies.

The First Vice President noted: Technologies such as nano have been of interest from the beginning, and Iran's position among the top 15 countries was targeted and quickly exceeded. Today, according to the Supreme Leader's order, we must be among the top 10 countries in the world in the field of artificial intelligence; this is not a slogan, but a requirement for development; because we cannot interact with the world's advanced banking networks with the approaches of 40 or 50 years ago. For this reason, we must take the path of innovation and the use of intelligence with all its requirements.

Referring to new or emerging technologies, Aref stated: "New or emerging technologies, if they are not seen comprehensively and by utilizing all tools, will bring nothing but loss and harm to countries like us."

He expressed hope: "With high scientific and research capacity and young and knowledgeable human resources, we are confident that we will have the upper hand in emerging technologies, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence and quantum, and we will play a role in the development of these technologies in the future."

Aref added: "Now with more than 2,780 branches, although the statistics given to me were 2,800, this statistical difference indicates a weakness in historiography and statistical accuracy. Sometimes there are differences in statistics that people complain about; I wish the history and definition were also presented along with the statistics." For example, in the telecommunications sector, there are also such differences in the breakdown of income, so if there are any problems in the statistics, it is either due to the time of recording or due to differences in definitions. These issues should be considered in structural reforms.

He noted: Sepah Bank, focusing on financing development projects in various fields such as industry, agriculture, etc., is truly at the forefront of the country's development banks. The volume of deposits, according to the statistics given to me, is 1,300 trillion tomans (Hemat), which indicates the desirable status of [this bank].

He stated: In the information age, mere numbers and figures are not the criterion; rather, quality, passing through stages and reaching the goal are important. However, figures are a prelude to progress. The mission of the banking network is also changing. We must also adapt to the current conditions.

Aref said: Fortunately, Sepah Bank has always been a pioneer in technological transformation throughout history; Despite the risks and problems that existed in the past in using new technologies.

The First Vice President stated: Using technology in the country required courage. Even today, sometimes we have to accept the cost of delays in services or problems, so that in the near future, we can achieve an excellent trend. The efforts of our banking network, along with the dominance of new technology and regional conditions, promise a bright future.

He added: Today, we have a very good situation in the region; the regional unions that we are members of are mostly countries that are in a common civilizational area or, in our opinion, the civilizational area of ​​Iran, where we share the same language and culture, and we have a natural and good trust in each other.

In another part of his speech, the First Vice President stated: "We should let our elderly mothers and fathers put the deposits under the carpet, which I said elsewhere, under the carpet, come and deposit them in the bank. Therefore, we must create this space and increase our social capital and increase people's trust, and on the other hand, be a facilitator and reduce bureaucracy, which has decreased compared to the past."

Aref emphasized: "We are seeking transformation and we must know that serious transformation in banking matters has a cost. Of course, transformation has a cost. In modern terms, it is called surgical transformation, although its intensity is less severe and calmer than surgery. If we do not seek transformation, its costs will certainly be higher and we will reach a point where our system is not efficient. Therefore, transformation in the banking network is a necessity, and until this necessity is delivered to us, we must voluntarily carry it out in this direction and try to put the banking system at the service of the country's development system and programs and the good demands of the people."

Aref stated that banks should move in the direction of the slogan of innovation and smartness, and said: "With this approach, we have reached a high position in nanotechnology among the top 15 countries in the world and have also surpassed this position. In the field of artificial intelligence, according to the Supreme Leader's orders that we should be among the top 10 countries, achieving technologies related to artificial intelligence is a requirement for development."

Emphasizing that the country's banking system cannot have financial and banking transactions with the world with technologies from the past 50 years, the First Vice President continued: "We must expand relations with the world with innovation, hope, and smartness with all its requirements."

Referring to the increase in foreign policy interactions and communications in the 14th government, Aref said: "We have a good relationship with countries that are in Iran's civilizational sphere, and this capital should be used to develop comprehensive relations, especially in the fields of money and banking."

Emphasizing the need to strengthen monetary diplomacy with regional countries, he stated: "General agreements and good cooperation are being made with many countries, but we are facing the problem of banking relations, which is partly due to sanctions. Of course, with the country's capacity, we have been able to minimize the effects of sanctions. Today, we claim that sanctions do not prevent progress, growth, and development and good economic relations with countries. However, we have done little in the field of monetary diplomacy and we must have a joint and regular banking organization with regional countries."

The First Vice President, pointing out that the economy is in a state of transition to new conditions, stated: "The country's priority is economic growth and solving livelihood problems, and not only in the Seventh Development Plan, which has the direction of economic growth, but also in the naming of the year by the Supreme Leader over the past years, the economic direction and direction especially pay attention to the production sector. After naming this year as an investment for production and a good rise in the private sector, we can not only achieve the goals of the development plan, but also move towards production for at least 300 million people in the region and the country's civilizational sphere."

He also referred to the mandatory facilities in the country's banking network in the past years and noted: After the Third Development Plan, the strategy was to abandon the mandatory so that the banks themselves could decide in which direction to invest, but the expectation from the country's banking network is to consider itself responsible for the development program and accountable to the people and to provide its financial facilities and credits beyond a few percent profits and accept social responsibility as a social and national institution, which will be the introduction to the country's progress and development.

Aref emphasized that priorities should not be imposed on the banking system, otherwise the banking system should be given in return so that they feel complete freedom within the framework of the programs, which means modern banking.

He continued: Such an approach was followed in the policies of the Central Bank, and good steps were taken in the Expediency Discernment Council on its statute so that the Central Bank is on the path of the system and serving the government, but is not recognized as a general government department, because we believe that the command system causes many problems.

The First Vice President, stating that we are looking for a leading and pioneering industry and bank, continued: We must gradually move towards reducing duties so that the bank's management can function well, and Bank Sepah can begin to lead in this direction.

Aref also emphasized the importance of implementing resistance economy policies: We have not done well in our efforts and seriousness for the resistance economy and the sustainability and resilience of the economy due to some laws and regulations, which should be the country's main strategy under any sanctions or non-sanctions conditions.

Emphasizing that achieving 8 percent economic growth is not ambitious and that the banking system can contribute to achieving this indicator, the First Vice President added: We cannot think of growth less than 8 percent and we must see from where this growth can be achieved. Of course, in the Seventh Development Plan, a high share has been given to productivity and 2.5 points out of 8 points of 8 percent growth are dedicated to productivity, and banks can also help the government achieve this goal by making money productive.

Referring to the country's production concerns and strategy, he said: We must meet all our needs because the Islamic Revolution is a cultural revolution and today the countries of the world acknowledge that the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran are open before imposing policies.

Referring to the role of Iran's peaceful nuclear technologies, Aref emphasized: Today, the foreign side claims that if you are looking for peaceful nuclear technology, you should not enrich it and we will deliver enriched uranium for production and the country's needs. They made such promises in the past, but in practice nothing happened, and this is while they are well aware of the reactors and their applications inside Iran.

He clarified: Tehran's Amirabad reactor did not have the uranium required for 20% enrichment, but Iranian youth produced it, and now the negotiating party, with its history of breach of promise in delivering uranium, is telling us that if you are looking for peaceful use, import it from abroad. We cannot trust them and why is there a need to be dependent, while the slogan of the Islamic Revolution was independence, self-reliance and self-sufficiency, which today we can not only meet all our needs but also supply it to friendly, neighboring and regional countries.

The First Vice President emphasized: We will not remain dependent in any sector, but we accept interaction, cooperation, and partnership, and today the country's strategy is to become self-sufficient in all fields, especially in single fields.

Stating that we must rely on advanced domestic technologies to meet and satisfy our own needs and those of foreign countries that sign contracts with us, he continued: Today, nuclear technology is one of these advanced technologies that everything depends on and we must use it, and considering the progress made in the field of radiopharmaceutical production, we cannot make a commitment to a foreign country and then not deliver 20% uranium to us. Of course, the people will not allow us to remain on the path of dependence, especially in the nuclear field. Otherwise, the Islamic Revolution would not have achieved victory, because its most important message was independence and cooperation.

Aref continued: "We have repeatedly announced to the countries of the world that we will put all technological and scientific achievements at the service of each other without expectations, because science belongs to humans and we cannot limit ourselves and scientific achievements for the sake of pleasing a country, and we use technologies in every field and in a humanitarian path and serving the country." The First Vice President also continued by listing transformation and smartization, focusing on financing national production, entering regional diplomacy, engineering human resources and social capital, transparent and accountable governance to the people as real shareholders, promoting social capital, utilizing domestic capital, facilitating and reducing bureaucracy, and serious transformation of the banking system as necessities of the banking system.