Iran appoints oil minister

03 September 2009

Majlis approve appointment of Mirkazemi to top post

Massoud Mirkazemi is Iran’s new oil minister after winning the approval of the country’s Majlis (parliament), according to Iran’s state-run media.

The former commerce minister was President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s choice for the job but faced strong opposition from conservative members of parliament (MPs) because of his lack of experience in the sector.

Mirkazemi received 147 votes, just three more than he needed to take the post. He now wants to boost oil production using advanced technology, and to start a spending programme of $140bn on upstream production infrastructure.

Iran depends on oil for 80 per cent of its export earnings, and the post of oil minister is critical. When Ahmadinejad came to power in late 2005, the Majlis rejected three of his nominees for the crucial portfolio, saying they lacked relevant experience.

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