Government prioritizes realization of blue economy: Minister
The Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade highlighted blue economy initiatives as a top priority for the government, stating that the current administration plans to operationalize a sea-based economy as well as activating a fund to guarantee marine works.
On Thursday, during a visit to Lamerd in southern Fars Province, Mohammad Atabak visited industrial projects in the Lamerd Special Economic Zone, and held a meeting on investment and infrastructure progress, ISNA reported.
The Lamerd Special Economic Zone has significant advantages compared to other regions due to its competitive features, available facilities, investment infrastructure, and proximity to the sea, the minister said at the meeting.
A designated representative of the president has been appointed in industrial zones, he noted, adding that the Lamerd Special Economic Zone, must expand in line with blue economy plans.
The minister acknowledged shortcomings in the development stage of Lamerd’s infrastructure and emphasized the need to address energy deficits.
Atabak stressed the importance of advancing aluminum and copper industries as promising economic metals.
“An aluminum smelting factory cannot operate without a power plant. We demand IMIDRO, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and Ghadir Investment Company, to expedite the construction of a power plant,” he said.
The minister further noted the necessity of constructing a railroad to connect the Lamerd and Parsian special zones in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran.
“If this project is realized, investor costs will decrease. Therefore, efforts should be made to accelerate its implementation and connect it to the national railway network,” Atabak said.
The minister also announced plans to discuss the acceleration of a seawater transportation pipeline to Fars Province, with Lamerd as its initial destination, in Iran’s Economic Council.