TEHRAN Iran's agricultural conversion industries have created over 73 thousands jobs in the country, Jihad Construction Minister Mohammad Sa'eedikia said yesterday. Addressing a press conference, the minister said that the value added by the agriculture industries reaching 12.9 pct out of the total value added by the major industrial workshops, have been placed fourth. Sa'eedikia also stated that 15 pct out of over 6100 industrial units, active throughout the country, are busy with agricultural conversion industries.

In comparison with other domestic industries, agricultural conversions' reliance on foreign raw material is at its minimum, the minister said. Touching on the importance of agricultural industries and foodstuffs in the country's development, he deemed it as an infrastructure industry in all the developed states. Meanwhile, the Deputy Trade Minister, Mojataba Khosrotaj, stated that during the current year Iran exported over $1.1 billion worth of agricultural products and over $3.5 million worth of foodstuffs .

He also said that Iran's international fair on agriculture and foodstuffs would provide a good opportunity for Iranian and foreign companies to exchange views in order to promote economic ties.