YAZD -- The head of Yazd's Industries and Mines Department, Abbas Qoli Eqbal Zarech, reported here on Thursday a 165-percent increase in the amount of capital invested in Yazd's industries and mines sector in the past Iranian year (ended March 20) compared to that of the previous year.

He told an IRNA correspondent that Rls.2,490 billion was invested in Yazd's industries and mines two years ago.

He further revealed that a boost of 133 percent and 135 percent, respectively, in the employment rate and the number of permits issued to applications in the industries and mines sector.

He said: "As provided in the government's Third Five-Year Development Plan, a 17-percent increase was anticipated for Yazd Province but the actual figure shows an extra 4.8 percent boost."

Referring to the remarkable increase in investment in the industries and mines sector of Yazd compared to other sectors, he he recalled that two years ago with every job created another 1.6 side jobs was generated.

He mentioned that 4,200 side jobs were created in the province over the past year which is a boost of 1600 compared that of the previous year.

He said that some 900 permits were issued for the establishment of new industrial plants in the past year which shows a boost of 2.5 percent compared to the figure of the previous year.

He added 12 new bodies to study various trends in the enforcement of major policies were established in Yazd Province's industries and mines sector. Ten of these bodies are presided by management boards, he added.

He further revealed that 172 permit to open production units in the industries or mines sector were issued in the last year which ended up creating 2,062 new jobs at an investment cost of Rls.415 billion.

He said that 866 applications were filed for mine excavations during the same period, the figure showing an increase of 68 percent compared to the figure of the previous year.

Referring to the successful "training project" sponsored by Yazd Province's Industries and Mines Department, he added that out of 170 training applicants, 42 were employed after they had completed the training.

He said the training project was started by the province last year to attract young university graduates, especially those majoring in engineering and technical courses, to work in the industries and mines sector.