#Iran’s debt market emerges as key to economic future

The rising issuance of sukuk and Treasury bills in the past three years in Iran is seen as evidence of the success and allure of the Iranian debt market. Perhaps the most important factor contributing to the sales of bonds has been the lack of funds to private contractors and creditors. The Iranian government's budget for the public sector is allowed to issue a significant amount of debt securities. Although this helps state-run organizations sponsor infrastructure projects, it might bring about risk of default for future governments. An analysis of budget figures shows that the government is always forced to settle the past matured securities with the issuance of new ones. Government commitments are accumulated and rolled over to later years. The administration is due to pay its outstanding debt obligations, totaling $7 billion and can issue about $10 billion worth of sukuk.