Keyvan Kashafi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Iran Chamber and Deputy Secretary of the Government and Private Sector Dialogue Council, presented a report on the impact of shutdowns and mandatory disruptions on economic enterprises at the thirty-seventh meeting of the Board of Representatives of the Iran Chamber. He stated that the increase in shutdowns in 2025 compared to previous years, alongside factors such as electricity and gas imbalances, internet disruptions, air pollution, and unrest, has put more pressure on production and businesses.
$34 Billion Economic Loss
Kashafi pointed to the economic loss caused by shutdowns and mandatory disruptions in 2025, saying: "According to the calculations made, the economic loss from these shutdowns is approximately $34 billion." He added: "For an economy with a volume of about $300 billion, such a loss is significant and cannot be overlooked without effective measures."
A member of the Board of Directors of the Iran Chamber emphasized that the country needs to reconsider policies related to mandatory shutdowns, and the Iran Chamber has also prepared proposals for discussion in the Government and Private Sector Dialogue Council.
Effects of Shutdowns on Economic Activity
Kashafi, referring to the results of a survey of economic activists, said: "In 2025, about 61 days of complete mandatory shutdowns were recorded in the country, and on 190 other days, at least one type of disruption affecting economic activity was present." He added: "The report estimates that about 22 percent of production activity time in the country is lost due to various reasons stemming from shutdowns and mandatory disruptions."
He also referred to the problems caused by electricity and gas imbalances, stating: "This imbalance leads to disruptions in production and increases the costs for enterprises, which can affect sales and investment."
Kashafi further pointed to the impact of internet disruptions on business revenues, saying: "In the conducted survey, about 57 percent of economic activists identified internet disruption as one of the most important reasons for their reduced income."
He emphasized the need to maintain internet access for enterprises, stating: "Plans must be made to ensure at least minimal internet services under various conditions so that the country's economic activity is not completely deprived of internet access."
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