TEHRAN – A bill calling for construction of three-star hotels in various regions of the country is submitted to the High Council of Economy by Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization.

The proposal, involving $356m of foreign financing, is to be deliberated by the council in the coming weeks, executive director of Iran Tourism Development Company Mehdi Jahangiri told the Persian service of IRNA on Monday.

“Some 142 sites have been selected for this project and based on the plans construction of 60-70 hotels should kick off this year (Iranian year ending March 20, 2007),” he noted, adding the design work for 25 is already underway by the contractors.

Timely allocation of financing would set the plan ahead and the number of the hotels could increase to 30 for the year.

Moreover, a recent bid on building several recreational and tourism complexes across the nation has received a warm reception from many contractors and the expected delivery time is set for next year, Jahangiri said in conclusion.