Zarrabs are a stakeholders in turning Azerbaijan into Iran’s largest private sector steel producer

The theory of “creative destruction” was presented in the early 20th century by Joseph Schumpeter, an Austrian-born scientist, emphasizing that intellectual and economic forces can disrupt the foundations of the existing order through creativity and innovation, come up with a new plan, and launch and promote new businesses in the service, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. He, who is called the father of entrepreneurship in economics, considered high self-confidence and uncontrollable internal energy to be effective in entrepreneurship. Like most economists, he believed that entrepreneurship is not a purely genetic trait, but rather one must recognize the time and needs of the market and the development of new businesses. He began hard work with perseverance and determination. It was in this way that a number of intellectuals and capitalists established and launched steel companies in East Azerbaijan in the last two decades. Isfahan was the country’s leading producer of iron and steel, and the development of urban development and the creation of large and high-rise buildings required the supply of various iron and steel products, and the city of Tabriz was on its way to becoming the second tallest city. The country’s standard-bearer, and transporting and bringing these types of products from the center of the country, in addition to increasing costs, also decreased and damaged the industrial prestige of the region. Meanwhile, a number of capital owners, by bringing technology and machinery, established steel units in East Azerbaijan. Today, this part of the country has become the largest center for the production of steel products in the private sector of the country, and more than tens of thousands of people are directly and indirectly active in this sector, and the export of standard steel products to domestic and foreign consumer markets has begun and continues for years. And these great works by the dedicated entrepreneurial soldiers have turned East Azerbaijan, in addition to the first pole for the production of steel products in the private sector, into the trading arena for various types of iron and steel products in the country, which is a source of pride and honor. In the meantime, the great name of the Zarrabs has become a household name both at home and abroad, and the death of the head of this business family, the late Hajj Hossein Zarrab, has caused a wave of grief and regret among economic activists and public opinion.

The late Hajj Hossein Zarrab established the first private steel town in Tikmeh-Dash on a land area of 50 hectares, which has become a familiar name and a reputable brand in the domestic and foreign markets with the opening of a billet production unit with a capacity of 50,000 tons per year and the production of 300,000 tons of rebar with world standards, and its billet products are a source of encouragement for 40 factories that doesn’t have the facility to produce billets themselves. However, on Monday evening, October 17, thousands of industrialists, manufacturers, employers, and workers gathered at the Laleh Hotel in Tabriz and honored the memory and name of this late entrepreneur by offering flowers, releasing dozens of prisoners, and providing some of the expenses of patients. In the meantime, the announcement of some charitable institutions to provide some of the executive and development activities with the charitable donations of Hajj Hossein Zarrab was heard. Including the provision of rebar for the building under construction of the Tabriz Heart House (A foundation that is active in moral and economical support of patients suffering from heart diseases) and the development plans of non-governmental organizations in Tehran and Tabriz or other deprived areas of the country, it testified to the goodwill of this dear deceased who traveled to East Azerbaijan. The reality is that in the civilized world, a significant portion of the income and wealth of entrepreneurs, capitalists, and high-income earners is spent on areas of need such as education, treatment, running old-age institutions, orphanages, and public welfare. God willing, these good traditions, which are the advice of the great religious and intellectual leaders and a great social responsibility, will be more widespread and prevalent in our country. In these difficult economic times and the spread of social problems, a portion of the wealth of business owners will be used to provide for the needy and to seek the pleasure of the Creator and the people. Because it is part of the philosophy of life to address and meet the needs of fellow humanity, and reducing the pain and suffering of society is a commendable thing. We honor the memory of all creative men and businessmen, industrialists, and business owners of Tabriz, including the late Hajj Hussein Zarrab, and we honor their tireless efforts in creating wealth and employment. God willing, they will be clear before the great Lord of the worlds on the Day of Judgment and will be forgiven and mercy of God.

Written by Mohammad Farajpour Basmenji