Special Free Zones Urged to Play Active Role in National Economy
Special Free Zones Urged to Play Active Role in National Economy
  Advisor to President and Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones in the joint meeting of managers of the special economic and free zones pointed to the special position of these zones in the national economic pick-up and termed the managers of these areas as officers of the economic war with enemies.

TEHRAN (Iran News) –  Advisor to President and Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones in the joint meeting of managers of the special economic and free zones pointed to the special position of these zones in the national economic pick-up and termed the managers of these areas as officers of the economic war with enemies.

In the meeting, Saeed Mohammad said today the country is challenging with the cruel imposed sanctions and enemies seek to stop the economic development in the country. He added that today public livelihood has been targeted by the enemies and in this condition the role of special economic zones is very important for thwarting the goals of the enemies.

Mohammad noted that special economic and free zones with having over 1,300 economic units in different fields of production, exports, services, transit, technologies and imports have gathered together a big body of economic activists.

He went on to say that special economic zones in any part of the country can take advantage of their special capacities, adding that the North-South Corridor and East-West Corridor due to connection to 15 neighboring states are of major advantages of our country.

Mohammad then pointed to the amount of volumes of Iran’s neighboring countries and said their imports are valued at over $1,100b, adding that unfortunately Iran’s share of this amount is around $24b and the country does not take maximum advantage of its capacities while in the sanctions era, exports can help producers, economic activists and national economy.

He said over 5,400 special economic zones are in the world that major part of the world trade and production is shaped in the special economic zones.

He said today in Iran there are seven active free zones and 32 special economic zones, and 47 special economic zones and 8 free zones are to be launched soon.

Mohammad said removing hurdles in way of production and resolving some other problems are of the main concerns in these areas, adding that they should be resolved.

He went on to say that but today the main problem and woe for economic activists is the domestic sanctions, surplus laws and bureaucracy as well as existence of “island approach” among the economic sectors of the national economy.

He said everybody prepares or legislates a law to stop a problem without taking into consideration the probable problems that the law may create in the future.

Mohammad reiterated that integrity of the economic team is very important and he is to create this integrity in the government with the help of his colleagues in the council.

He reiterated that observing economic issues in the framework of a healthy work will help the negative mindsets regarding the zones to change and the managers of the free zones with a strong media work can consolidate the real position of the free zones and special economic areas in the blossom of the national economy.

He then called for the launch of a joint committee between the council and special economic zones for identifying the hurdles in way of economic activists and to find solutions for them.