Acting Oil Minister Hamid Bovard emphasized the need for closer coordination between the government and the oil industry, saying joint efforts to remove obstacles and strengthen cooperation across all sectors could help the country overcome difficult conditions and keep the oil industry moving forward.
Bovard made the remarks Tuesday at a ceremony marking his appointment as caretaker oil minister, attended by First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref. He thanked former oil minister Mohsen Paknejad for his efforts, particularly during the 12-day and 40-day wars.
Bovard also thanked President Masoud Pezeshkian for entrusting him with leading the Oil Ministry, saying he hoped to contribute to the government and the country.
He thanked Aref and pledged that oil sector activities would continue with full force.
“The outlook of all my colleagues, from senior managers to operational staff, is national,” Bovard said, adding that operational personnel had performed particularly strongly during the wars.
Oil development policies in place
Bovard said the oil industry had successfully fulfilled its responsibilities during critical periods in the country's history, adding that its production and development policies and plans are clearly defined and will be pursued vigorously.
He described the oil industry as the “locomotive” of the country's economy, saying progress in the sector drives growth and development in other parts of the economy.
“I hope that through greater synergy between the government and the oil industry and by removing existing obstacles, the industry will continue to shine, even under these difficult circumstances,” Bovard said.
The ceremony formally introducing Bovard as acting oil minister was attended by Aref, deputy oil ministers and senior oil industry officials.
President Pezeshkian appointed Bovard as acting oil minister Sunday (Oct. 4), accepting Paknejad's resignation as oil minister.