TEHRAN -- In a meeting attended by the minister, deputies and managers of the Industries and Mines Ministry, First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said that the efforts by the country's industries and mines sector are in accordance with the quality and quantity indexes of the Third Five-Year Economic Development Plan.

Aref emphasized the great potential of the industries and mines sector to create jobs. He added that since unemployment is one of the major concerns of the government and the country, preliminary investigations have been carried out to create further jobs during the fourth economic plan.

He said that the main objective of the Fourth Five-Year Economic Plan is the creation of job opportunities and stressed the need to seek legal ways to reduce unemployment.

Referring to the necessity of planning a new strategy for industrial development and reducing government spending, he said that the ground should also be paved to invite private sector participation and attract foreign investment.

He also urged the industries and mines sector to give priority to hiring specialists and educated labor.