A Treasurer in the Embassy: Sheibani to be Iran’s Ambassador to Austria

Ebrahim Sheibani, former governor of the Central Bank of Iran, has replaced Seyyed Mohsen Nabavi as Iran’s new ambassador to Austria. Sheibani left his post as the governor of the Central Bank in September 2007, remarking that he wants to return to university and resume teaching, but before Sheibani’s official resignation there were rumors around that he will be appointed as Iran’s representative to the World Bank.

 

Sheibani’s resignation occurred two weeks after Ahmadinejhad dismissed ministers of Petroleum and Industry to have more control over economy of the country. Also the government dissolved the Monetary and Credit Council that was one of the most crucial decision-making centers in Iran’s monetary system. Along with some Central Bank high-ranking officials, Sheibani was against economic decisions of Ahmadinejhad’s administration.

 

He was also against government’s decision to reduce banks’ interest rate and believed it is detrimental to Iran’s economy. That’s why acceptance of his resignation was not so much surprising. But the question was that did Sheibani really resign from his post or was actually dismissed? The answer to this question would determine future course of his service.

 

After Sheibani’s resignation and its acceptance by Mahmoud Ahmadinejhad there were talks that his five-year term had been approaching its end which would be in April 2008. At the time when Sheibani’s resignation was a hot topic, an informed source stated: "Mr. Sheibani has announced his interest to continue his activity as the head of the Central Bank." That’s when dismissal became a more possible option and Sheibani joined the list of officials who resigned or were dismissed during Ahmadinejhad’s administration.

 

Despite all the rumors, Sheibani followed another way that once again confirmed a tradition in Iran’s system of domestic management: that after resignation, dismissal or end of their term, Iranian officials are appointed to another position that is irrelevant as to their academic and executive background. However, former governor of the Central Bank has left the economic domain and entered the world of diplomacy, and for the first time he is going to serve as an ambassador.

 

But at any rate, it seems that Sheibani’s record in economy can be considered acceptable. Sheibani, who has graduated with a PhD degree in economy from Indiana University and has taught economy of Iran in Tehran University, is a major supporter of pre-Revolution development plans. He regards the Third Development Plan of that era as one of the most successful instances in Iran. Sheibani is also one the 27 experts invited by Mahmoud Ahmadinejhad to design Iran’s Fifth Development Plan. After serving in cultural, economic and political sectors of Management and Planning Organization, the Statistical Center of Iran and the Central Bank, he was finally appointed as governor of the Central Bank.

 Sheibani is now going to serve in a position quite different from his previous one. It seems that by using his experience and ability in economic affairs, he can prepare grounds for financial and commercial interactions between Iran and Austria and directs Austria’s investors towards Iran. Due to the unique economic position of Austria, this country can be a good economic partner for Iran. However, we have to wait and see what Sheibani does as the new ambassador.