TEHRAN (Iran News) –  Secretary of High Council of Iran’s Free Trade and Special Economic Zones Mr. Saeed Mohammad said that the 2022 Qatar World Cup could be a good opportunity to restart development of these zones, reiterating that the island is ready to serve Qatar World Cup visitors and welcomes investment for it.

In a joint meeting with Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mr. Rostam Qasemi, Mr. Mohammad announced readiness of Kish Island for investment for the Qatar World Cup and serving the visitors of this big soccer event.

Mohammad said that free trade and special economic zones in Iran seek to leverage their economic and tourism capacities to host fans and teams participating in World Cup 2022.

He said that development of free zones in sectors like tourism, economic investment, and health tourism is among top priorities of the secretariat and the World Cup could be a new beginning for the objective.

The official also said that the construction of several hotels, airport terminals and runways, maritime passenger ports and terminals, sports fields and bodybuilding gyms is in progress to ensure Iran’s contribution to the international event.

He then pointed to the huge number of tourists to Kish Island during Nowruz holidays and said the island hosted the visitors with no certain problem but he reiterated that the island should resolve all problems and some of the structural projects are ready to come on stream.

Roads and Urban Development Minister also said that Iran would offer support to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in residence and air and maritime transportation.

Qasemi said that Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi had the issue on agenda during his visit to Qatar earlier this year.

Iran’s support will include providing residence and air and maritime transportation for passengers and tourists destined for Qatar according to agreements between Raisi and Qatar’s Emir, Qasemi said.

He added that he would have meetings with Qatari officials next week and Kish Island would play a pivotal role in Iran’s support of the major international event, but Iran’s southern coastal cities could also participate.

Kish Island will host a meeting between Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications.