PRESS TV - Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced a bill to divide Tehran Province and to establish Alborz Province, with Karaj as its capital city.
"The bill to divide Tehran Province and establish an Alborz Province with Karaj as its capital city will be presented to the parliament. The government has conducted studies to examine aspects of the matter," the Iranian president said during a press conference on Saturday.
Situated 20 kilometers west of Tehran, Karaj is in the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. It has a population of 1,400,000 making it the fifth most populous city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan and Tabriz.
Karaj is renown for its academic and educational complexes, in addition to tourist attractions.
"The second round of provincial trips is nearing its end. Some cities in Tehran Province, such as the capital city Tehran, remain, and will be visited soon," the Iranian president said.
Ahmadinejad found unemployment to be one of the main problems of Tehran. He stressed that the unemployment rate in Tehran was 10.6%, and that a change in policies could cut the rate.
"The cabinet decided to lift the ban on investment in advanced and non-polluting industry. Advanced industries that do not pollute the ecosystem or environment must grow through more investment," Ahmadinejad said.
Previously investments in new industries were under state ban within an 120 kilometer radius of Tehran. Investments were restricted to agriculture and the service Concerning unemployment, tax exemption for 10 years for investments in industrial towns in Tehran's disadvantaged areas has been ratified," he said.
