Reformist presidential candidate Mohammad Reza Aref has criticized the high rate of inflation in Iran, pledging to fight unemployment and create jobs if elected president in the June 14 election.The first issue is controlling the runaway prices of goods and reining in inflation. The main reason behind inflation right now is the lack of monetary and fiscal discipline, he said at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran on Tuesday.
"Through borrowing from the Central Bank [of Iran], hard currency is injected into society, which results in inflation. Instead of controlling inflation we have placed monitoring the administration on our agenda.... We must have production. Investments must be made. We have plans to reduce inflation to a single digit rate and we can [do this].
The presidential candidate said, The next issue is employment. We intend to create at least one million jobs every year. If we pursue this plan the jobless rate will become a single digit. Housing is also a cause of concern for all young people.
Aref revealed plans for a project called "Perpetual Housing" to provide suitable homes for Iranian youths.
In order to create one million jobs, [to see an] economic boom and reach an eight-percent economic growth rate, we have devised four special plans aimed at university graduates. Developing the tourism industry, from both cultural and economic aspects, can create 200,000 job opportunities; developing the information technology [sector] can create a large number of jobs, and influence other sectors.
We have a special plan to use the geographical location of the country [to our advantage]. We have the best geographical location. We used to earn more than 500 millions of dollars a year from airplanes flying over Iran. Why shouldnt we have such an income and increase it? As a regional hub, we can earn a lot and create many jobs in the trade, transit and telecommunications [sectors].
Aref is facing seven rivals in the upcoming election. Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, President of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
Iranians will go to the polls in the nations 11th presidential election on June 14. Over 66,000 polling stations will be set up across the country. Expatriates will also be able to cast ballots at 285 polling stations that will be set up in their respective countries.
By Press TV
The Iran Project is not responsiblefor the content of quoted articles.
