TEHRAN – In his weekly press conference on Monday, the government spokesman said this year Iran should use its domestic capacity and technical knowledge in line with resistance economy outlined by the Supreme Leader.

Mohammad Baqer Nobakht also said the 6th national development plan (2015-2020) will primarily focuses on environmental issues, tourism, retirement fund, and so forth.

On environmental challenges, Nobakht noted that Iran is faced with water shortage - that cannot be resolved by importing water to country- and drying lakes, like Urmia, Bakhtegan, and Hamoun, and dust sand storms.

He also said under the 6th development plan the government is seeking international investment to protect environment, develop joint oilfields, rail transport, mines, tourism, etc.

Regarding the auto-industry, the spokesman said, “We pay close attention to national automobile production, although with higher quality and more affordable prices.”

In the 6th socio-economic plan, Nobakht said, the government also seeks to transfer “technology” to the country in all areas including medical fields, auto-industry, tourism, and so on.

Pointing to the unemployment rate in Iran, the official said, according to Statistical Center of Iran, this year over 800,000 people were ready to enter workforce out of which 700,000 landed a job and the rest still struggling to find work.

Nobakht also pointed to Iran’s economic growth this year and said that it has risen to 3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Iranian calendar year began on March 21, 2015.