TEHRAN The private sector will play its role in the establishment and expansion of chain stores in the country through participation and investment in related projects, IRNA reported. Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohammad Hashemi made the statement while apeaking at the ceremony inaugurating a 'Refah' chain store in Shahr-e Rey, south of Tehran, Wednesday. He further stated that establishment and expansion of chain stores throughout the country will help better distribution of commodities.

Hashemi referred to the distribution system as one of the problems of the country, adding that due to shortcomings in this connection in certain cases prices will go up ten times in the period between production and consumption. He said chain stores in addition to offering goods with proper packaging were also suitable means to help families with their economization programs.

The vice president stressed that expansion of chain stores was also included in the agenda of the new government. Also speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director of Refah Chain Stores Company Ali Asgari underlined the significance of management of a modern retail netwrok as an effective strategy for improvement of the distribution system. He said that the sale of commodities by the network of Refah chain stores this year (started March 21, 1997) is expected to generate a revenue of Rls 600 billion, of which Rls 400 billion has been so far earned.

Razi refah chain store in Shahr-e Rey is the 10th in Tehran province and the 32nd in the country. The 11,000-sq meters store has been built within six months at a cost of Rls 18 billion.