Editing Economy of Iran (section)

=== Reform plan ===
{{See also|Iranian targeted subsidy plan}}
Expansion of [[healthcare in Iran|public healthcare]] and [[foreign relations of Iran|international relations]] are the other main objectives of the fifth plan, an ambitious [[Iranian Economic Reform Plan|series of measures]] that include [[Iranian targeted subsidy plan|subsidy reform]], [[Banking in Iran|banking recapitalization]], [[Iranian rial|currency]], [[Taxation in Iran|taxation]], [[Iranian Customs|customs]], [[Construction in Iran|construction]], employment, nationwide goods and services distribution, social justice and productivity.<ref>[https://www.princeton.edu/irandataportal/laws/labor-civilsociety/targeting-subsidies/full-text/ Full Text of the Law for the Targeting of Subsidies] {{Dead link|date=November 2016}}. [[Princeton University]], November 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2016.</ref> The intent is to make the country self-sufficient by 2015 and replace the payment of $100 billion in subsidies annually with targeted [[social assistance]].<ref name="csmonitor1">{{cite web |url = http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0430/Why-Iran-s-Ahmadinejad-is-pushing-to-cut-popular-government-subsidies |author = Roshanak Taghavi |title = Why Iran's Ahmadinejad is pushing to cut popular government subsidies |publisher = CSMonitor.com |date = April 30, 2010 |access-date = May 5, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Turq6">[http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Jan11.pdf ''Iran Investment Monthly''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809205723/http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Jan11.pdf |date=August 9, 2011 }}. Turquoise Partners (January 2011). Retrieved January 31, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://go.worldbank.org/KQD2RP3RX0 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110210062245/http://go.worldbank.org/KQD2RP3RX0 |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |title=Iran{{Snd}} Country Brief |publisher=World Bank |date=September 2010 |access-date=January 30, 2010 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.atiehbahar.com/Resource.aspx?n=1000039 Planned Economic Reforms] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513034614/http://www.atiehbahar.com/Resource.aspx?n=1000039 |date=May 13, 2011 }}. Atieh Bahar (2008). Retrieved May 24, 2009.</ref> These reforms target Iran's major sources of inefficiency and [[distortion (economics)|price distortion]] and are likely to lead to major restructuring of almost all economic sectors.<ref name="Turq6" />

By [[Iranian targeted subsidy plan|removing energy subsidies]], Iran intends to make its industries more efficient and competitive.<ref>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2010/INT092810A.htm Iran to Cut Oil Subsidies in Energy Reform]. International Monetary Fund, September 28, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2010.</ref> By 2016, one third of Iran's economic growth is expected to originate from productivity improvement. Energy subsidies left the economy as  one of the world's least energy-efficient, with [[energy intensity]] three times the global average and 2.5 times higher than the Middle Eastern average.<ref name="RFE">Reza Taghizadeh (June 9, 2010): [http://www.rferl.org/content/Sanctions_And_Irans_Achilles_Heel/2066744.html Sanctions And Iran's Achilles Heel]. ''Radio Free Europe''. Retrieved October 13, 2010.</ref> Notwithstanding its own issues, [[Banking in Iran|the banking sector]] is seen as a potential hedge against the removal of subsidies, as the plan is not expected to directly impact banks.<ref>[http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Oct10.pdf ''Iran Investment Monthly''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214141840/http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Oct10.pdf |date=December 14, 2010 }}. Turquoise Partners (October 2010). Retrieved October 30, 2010.</ref>