Tasnim- Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim, one of the six candidates running for presidency in Iran, stressed the need for plans to curb contraband and crack down on organized commodity smuggling to support domestic production.

Elaborating on his plans in case of winning the election at a televised program on Sunday night, Mirsalim said the imports of the foreign products that are being manufactured inside the country must be prohibited.

�We need to identify the factors behind smuggling and counter them seriously,� he added, highlighting the need for the government�s support for local manufacturers to offer products at competitive prices.

The candidate, a former minister of culture, also noted that he would focus on knowledge-based and scientific activities, emphasizing that transition of knowledge to the young generation will result in increased efficiency.

As regards the plans for reducing unemployment, he said he has good experience of �executive measures� to create jobs for the youth in the industry and the academic centers.

Mirsalim, 70, and five other candidates have launched their campaigns for the May 19 election, including Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi, Eshaq Jahangiri, Mostafa Hashemitaba, and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.