BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Some 150 industrial enterprises will be commissioned Ardabil Province (in the northwestern) in the current Iranian year (March 20, 2020 - March 20, 2021), Chairman for Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Ardabil Province Ramin Sadeghi said, Trend reports citing the organization.
According to Sadeghi, 35 trillion rials (about $833 million) have been invested in the establishment of enterprises in various parts of Ardabil Province.
Sadeghi added that 6,000 people will be employed with the establishment of these enterprises.
The chairman emphasized that due to US sanctions against Iran and the spread of the coronavirus, the focus is on increasing the production capacity of industrial enterprises.
"Thus, it is planned to increase the production capacity of some industrial enterprises from 50 percent to 100 percent. This will increase both production and employment," he said.
The US imposed new sanctions on Iran in November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies and individuals.
Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 212,500 people have been infected 9,996 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 172,000 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.
The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.