Leader of  Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei has called on Iranian officials to focus their efforts on economic blossoming and cultural development.

In his message to the Iranian nation on the occasion of the Persian New Year (Norouz) on Thursday, Imam Khamenei said "In my view, what we are faced with in the new [calendar] year consists of an economy which will blossom with the help of officials and people and a culture which will determine, under the aegis of endeavors by officials and people, the direction of our country and nation in its great move."

To that effect, Ayatollah Khamenei said, the new Iranian year starting on March 21 is named "Economy and Culture with National Determination and Jihadi Management."

The Leader said cultural and economic sectors both need people's presence to be able to reach their objectives.

Ayatollah Khamenei also stated that the "economy of resistance" sets the stage for officials to restructure the country's economy.

On February 25, Ayatollah Khamenei called on the three branches of the Iranian government to seriously pursue and implement the general policies of the resistance economy.

Imam Khamanei had outlined the general policies of Iran's resistance economy in a decree issued on February 19.

As part of the program, the government must take action to promote "knowledge-based economy and domestic production, especially in strategic products and services, with the subsequent reduction of dependence on imports."

The decree also encourages greater privatization and increased exports of goods and services through legal and administrative reform as well as attraction of foreign investment for export purposes.

On Friday the 21st of March, Imam Khamenei will address the Iranian people on the coming of the new year from the Shrine of Imam Reza (as) located in the city of Mashhad.