Violent demonstrations in Iran leave several people dead
17-08-2003
Al Bawaba
Several Iranians have been killed during violent protests in the central town of Samirom against planned changes to its local administration, according to Iran's state radio.
"Individuals set fire to tires and smashed the windows of shops, homes, cars and public buildings, leading to the deaths of several people," the radio said Sunday.
Iranian police officials and protestors were also injured in the demonstrations which broke out Saturday, it added.
The demonstrators were protesting against the interior ministry's decision to incorporate the village of Vardasht within Samirom municipality, which lies in the far south of the central province of Isfahan. (Albawaba.com)
http://www.albawaba.com/news/index.php3?sid=256487&lang=e&dir=newsIndustrial development hinges on privatization
Arak, Central prov, Aug 17, IRNA --
Minister of Mines and Industry Eshaq Jahangiri said here Saturday that industrial sector will not progress, "unless the private sector is the focus of national economic policies."
He added that industrial development is unavoidable and economic growth and higher employment hinges on effective industrial strategies.
"The resolution of economic issues, as the main government
concerns, are possible through bolstering of private sector," Jahangiri said.
In the past three years many beneficial laws and regulations pertaining to the private sector and outlined in the Third Five-Year Development Plan (March 2000-March 2005) have been implemented, the minister of industry and mines underlined.
He said the total investment volume in industry and in industrial units have been significant in the last six years and over 5,000 units have gone on stream in the same period.
In 1997 the number of industrial units nationwide were fewer than 8,000 units, Jahangiri said.
In most recent statements on Iran's industrial plans and its effects on the economy, Jahangiri said last week that the government plans to call for creating 200,000 employment opportunities in the country in the current Iranian year (started March21).
Speaking at a nation-wide meeting of industrialists, he added that although prospects for attaining the employment figure are good, a 10 percent growth in the industrial sector was a pre-requisite to achieve this goal.
Jahangiri referring to the 10 percent industrial growth rate over the past two years, expressed optimism about "attaining an even better growth rate this year."
He also said the future bodes ill for "educated unemployed" saying that generating employment should be such that it prevents brain drain and meet the needs of job seekers.
He referred to the 20-year plan for industrial sector adding that it stipulates an eight percent economic growth rate "which is likely to expedite development of the industry sector."
Also, the plan calls for industrial exports to top dlrs 28-30 billion by the year 2020 from dlrs three billion now.
Jahangiri further said Iran's strategic plan is based on
industrial development and all of other socio-economic plans should be consistent with industrial development.
He said the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2005-2010) is being drawn up by the government and experts committees have been formed for this purpose.
http://www.irna.ir/en/tnews/030817003317.etn03.shtml