The Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade made a trip to Ardabil province on Saturday to inspect several production projects and hold a grand opening of one of the industrial facilities.
According to IRNA, upon arrival at Ardabil airport, Seyed Mohammad Atabak was met by the governor, representatives of the province's people in Parliament, and executive body officials.
As part of the one-day trip, the Minister visited three production units in the Ardabil industrial zone and opened the Arta Casting company. The Arta Precision Casting factory, which is financed by the private sector, was commissioned in Ardabil in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade, and local officials. This marked the beginning of the development of the first private serum production factory in the province.
The opening ceremony for the Arta Precision Casting plant took place on Saturday at the Ardabil steel complex. Seyed Mohammad Atabak, the Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade, the Governor of Ardabil, a group of people's representatives, and officials were present.
The ArtaPharma serum production plant in Ardabil Industrial Zone No. 2 was also visited. This production facility not only supplies some of the human serum needed by the country's healthcare system but also exports its products to neighboring countries.
The development phase of this complex includes four factories with six pharmaceutical production lines and will provide employment for 1500 people. With the launch of the ArtaPharma development phase, over 800 types of essential medicines for the country will be produced, which will help reduce dependence on medicine imports.
The Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade also inspected the Ardabil textile factory. This factory, where more than 1000 people work, is recognized as the largest textile factory in the country and West Asia. It covers the entire production cycle from cotton to finished clothing, producing various types of fabrics and apparel for different age groups.
During the visit to the industrial and production facilities in Ardabil, the Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade stated that some factories and industrial enterprises in Ardabil province are experiencing foreign currency shortages, and decisions will be made to meet their needs so they do not face problems.
Mohammad Atabak noted: 'Fortunately, good projects have been identified and implemented for the province, and these projects meet the conditions of the province; many of them have smooth and good physical progress, and many projects are being completed and can be launched.'
He added that some deficiencies in the foreign currency supplied to the factories were observed, and appropriate decisions would be made today. Regarding unfinished projects, it is necessary to help complete them according to schedules so they can start operating sooner.
The Minister continued: 'Large factories in Ardabil province, such as sponge iron production, must enter the production cycle as soon as possible to create added value for the province, and we will use all available resources in this regard.'
More than 1140 production units operate in various parts of Ardabil province, providing employment for over 40,000 people. Among them are 21 industrial zones and private sector zones, most of which are located in the provincial center.
Ardabil province, which has 12 districts and a population of over 1,300,000 people, is located in northwestern Iran, bordering the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Gilan, and Zanjan, as well as the Republic of Azerbaijan.
