This alignment, he emphasized, is achieved through ethical
relationships between companies and local communities.
Speaking at the second meeting of the Makran Petrochemical Companies'
Strategic Council, Moniri-Abiyaneh highlighted the history and development of
the Makran Petrochemical Complex, established following a 2012 government
resolution to create the country’s third petrochemical hub after Mahshahr and
Asaluyeh, selecting the Chabahar Free Zone as the location.
"The initial plan for this complex includes the establishment of
18 upstream petrochemical units," he said, emphasizing the importance of
leveraging the country's competitive advantages for these megaprojects.
"An international consultant was engaged to ensure the project’s
intelligence, and comprehensive studies led to the decision to build six units,
including five GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) units and one ammonia-urea unit, in the
first phase, based on global standards and utilizing technology for producing
olefin products without relying on ethane gas."
Moniri-Abiyaneh noted that social studies and the social
responsibility framework for the petrochemical hub were developed by the late
Mohammad Taghi Foroor, a founding figure in Iran's environmental protection
efforts. Foroor, who led the International Consortium of Indigenous Protected
Areas and chaired the Institute for Sustainable Development and Environment,
was also the architect of Iran’s first integrated social development program,
"The Integrated Development of the Selassie Region."
The petrochemical complex was instrumental in aiding flood-stricken
communities in southern Balochistan during the severe flooding at the end of
2023 and early 2024, Moniri-Abiyaneh said. "All petrochemical entities in
this region must support the local population in such situations to alleviate
their suffering."
He also announced that the Makran Petrochemical Complex is supporting
the Baloch Academy's cultural and sports programs for children and youth as
part of its social responsibility initiatives.
Sunni scholars from Balochistan recently visited the largest
industrial project in Sistan and Balochistan, expressing satisfaction with the
Makran Petrochemical Complex’s establishment and progress. They pledged to
facilitate communication between the local community and the industrial sector.
Moniri-Abiyaneh underscored the goals of the Makran Petrochemical
Companies' Strategic Council and the importance of social responsibility
initiatives by these companies. "To achieve development, we must fully
understand and respect the culture of the local community," he said.
In conclusion, he reiterated that social responsibility is key to
aligning local communities and industries with sustainable development, a goal
that is only achievable through ethical and respectful relationships between
companies and local populations.