TEHRAN - The Middle East’s largest horse breeding complex is to be established in Savojbolagh, Tehran Province by March 2007.

This will place Iran among the top five horse-exporting countries, Savojbolagh governor Mohammad Mir-Bozorgi told the Mehr News Agency on Sunday.

The government allocated $936 million for the project and private sector companies began construction of the complex during Iranian calendar year 1384 (March 2005- March 2006), he said.

The complex will cover an area of 80 hectares and will have the capacity to breed 9000 horses, he added.

He explained that the Savojbolagh horse breeding complex would include a five-star hotel, a 5000-meter covered hall for ceremonies, an applied sciences college where horse breeding will be taught, a unit for raising thoroughbred horses, and areas for horse racing and international competitions.

Mir-Bozorgi also said that over 2500 direct job opportunities will be created once the complex is completed.