According to the public relations office of the Yazd Governorate, the 285th session of the Permanent Representatives Council of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was hosted by Yazd Province, with the presence of the Governor of Yazd and ambassadors from member countries. The Governor of Yazd welcomed the ambassadors and expressed his wishes for a pleasant stay, stating that Yazd is the eighth largest province in Iran and a key connecting point between the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf to ECO member countries through the North-South corridor.
Mehran Fatemi further mentioned that due to its central geographical location in Iran, Yazd has a population known for their hard work and resilience despite the dry climate. The Governor highlighted how the people of Yazd have transformed this ancient region into a hub for mining, food industry, tourism, and healthcare.
Governor Yazd emphasized that despite water scarcity in the province, it has not hindered progress, as Yazdi people have historically overcome climatic challenges by digging qanats in the desert. He also mentioned how Yazd’s historical background and access to scientific and technological centers make it a successful model for developing desert regions in central Iran.
Fatemi continued by pointing out that Yazd’s strategic location on several rail lines and highways connecting North-South in Iran enables it to facilitate trade between Central Asia, Caucasus, Turkey, Oman Sea, and Persian Gulf. He highlighted how Yazd’s Dry Port pioneers are ready to provide services to ECO member countries with their extensive facilities.
Furthermore, Fatemi mentioned that Yazd has significant potential in mining with over 50% of Iran’s iron reserves, being home to one of the largest lead-zinc mines in the Middle East and various other mineral resources. The Governor added that this presents opportunities for cooperation and investment in exploration, extraction, and smart mining by contractors, operators, and technology companies from ECO member countries.
Fatemi also discussed how Yazd produces all construction materials locally and exports over 380 million square meters of tiles and ceramics along with designing ceramic machinery. He highlighted how Yazd is home to multiple manufacturing companies producing power plant components, smart boards, advanced industrial electrical panels, agricultural machinery as well as complete textile production chain exporting over 440 million square meters of fabric.
The highest executive authority in Yazd expressed readiness to meet ECO member countries’ needs in these areas. In another part of his speech about tourism potential in Yazd as Iran’s only UNESCO World Heritage city with unique windcatchers (badgirs) architecture and qanats attracting tourists from ECO member countries.
He also mentioned that with over 300 sunny days annually in Yazd provides an ideal environment for foreign investment especially solar power plants. In conclusion regarding healthcare services provided by experienced medical staff ready to offer health tourism services focusing on infertility treatment heart diseases cancer care.
