Iran allocates $1.5bn to provide jobs in rural areas

Iranian Vice President for Economic Affairs Mohammad Nahavandian announced the allocation of $1.5 billion to provide jobs in villages and rural areas in the country.

This comes as Iran faces increased protests over the past two months.

According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Nahavandian stressed that villages and rural areas will be the main focus for government plans to lower the unemployment rate.

Official figures put the country’s unemployment rate at 22 per cent, while non-government reports place the number much higher.

Tehran needs $95.2 billion in liquidity to complete several unfinished projects in the country, according to Nahavandian, undermining opportunities for new jobs.

Read: Iran demonstrations and possible consequences