Problem definition and objectives: Problem definition and objectives: Development processes are fundamentally aimed at promoting human welfare. Regional development, as a key component of this effort, plays a crucial role in ensuring the equitable distribution of opportunities across different regions and diverse segments of society. In Iran, the diversity of climate and human resource capabilities, combined with the uneven distribution of resources, facilities, and industries, has resulted in a heterogeneous development pattern. West Azerbaijan Province is no exception and is similarly influenced by these factors. These spatial disparities highlight the need for planning and policy-making officials to develop strategies tailored to the unique capabilities and capacities of each region. Effective planning requires a thorough understanding of a location's facilities and capabilities to establish a foundation for economic prosperity, promote social justice, create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, identify and prioritize industries based on scientific criteria, and enhance productivity. West Azerbaijan Province is one of Iran's important and strategic regions, possessing significant potential and talent across various economic sectors, particularly in domestic and international trade. Identifying the province's strengths and weaknesses in geopolitical contexts, as well as determining its investment advantages based on natural resources and inherent capabilities, can greatly contribute to its growth and development. The province is making significant progress, with a strong focus on the development of small industries. An analysis of the composition of existing workshops in the province reveals that the non-metallic minerals and food-pharmaceutical industries have the highest employment rates compared to other sectors. Among these, woodworking stands out as one of the most widespread industries, encompassing both trades and industrial activities in the province, with significant potential and actual opportunities for growth.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the investment priorities within the wood and paper industries in West Azerbaijan Province. This includes sectors such as papermaking and pulp, fiberboard, plywood, veneer, particleboard, furniture, cardboard and paperboard, plastic wood and cement wood, alcohol production, cellulose and alpha-cellulose, carbon charcoal, and pallet production. The aim is to promote the industrial development of the province in the wood and paper sectors.
Methodology: First, the factors influencing investment in this industry were identified through a literature review. Subsequently, field studies were conducted to gather expert opinions and to identify and prioritize the key indicators. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was employed for this purpose. Given the varying judgments, sensitivity analysis was applied to assess the consistency of the analysis. Due to the large number of options, the Rating method was utilized. In all stages of the study, the degree of inconsistency in the obtained matrices was calculated for the pairwise comparisons of experts.
Results: The results indicated that among the indicators, economic and financial factors were the most significant, followed by material and product factors, technical and human resource considerations, infrastructure requirements, cultural and social needs, and laws and regulations, respectively. In the options section, based on the objective with ideal integration, the furniture industry, the carton and cardboard industry, and the carbon charcoal production industry were identified as the top three priorities.
The sensitivity analysis results revealed that the infrastructure needs index is the most sensitive main indicator in the study. Its impact causes three shifts in the prioritization of options, highlighting the need for greater consideration of this factor in future decision-making processes.
Conclusion: The furniture industry represents a strong investment opportunity due to its high added value, relatively low initial investment, minimal environmental impact, large market potential, and favorable geographical conditions in the province.