TEHRAN (Iran News) –Establishing joint free zones with neighboring countries is atop the agenda in the current administration of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, an official said.
Deputy Head of Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Free Industrial and Special Economic Zones for Economic Affairs Ahmad Jamali said that the Secretariat has considered the establishment of free zones with neighboring countries as its legal obligation, aimed at production growth and more productivity from abundant capacities and potentials existing in the country.
Accordingly, Iran submitted its request to the officials of 18 neighboring states for the establishment of joint free zones, and all of these countries welcomed the proposal, he stated.
To date, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Iraq and Turkey have agreed with Iran’s proposal of setting up joint free zones, he added.
Negotiations have been held with the Russian Federation regarding the establishment of joint free zones, he said, adding that expert-level sessions both in-person and via videoconference have been held between officials of the two countries and it was agreed to set up joint free zones between the Moscow-Lotus Metropolises Special Economic zones and the Chabahar and Anzali free zones.
The establishment of joint free zones among Caspian Sea littoral states is another measures taken into consideration, Jamali added.
The decision for establishing the mentioned zone was made during the two countries’ fifth Joint Economic Committee meeting in Baghdad.
Underlining the fact that three of Iran’s major free zones are located near the Iraqi border, Jamali noted that along with the joint zone, these four free trade zones can play a significant role in boosting the trade exchanges between the two countries.
The establishment of free trade zones (FTZs) in Iran dates back to the Iranian calendar year 1368 (March 1989 – March 1990) following the fall in the country’s oil income in the preceding year which prompted the government to promote non-oil exports.
The first two free trade zones of Iran were established in the south of the country. The first one was Kish Free Trade Zone established in 1368 on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf and the second one was Qeshm Free Trade Zone established the year after on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Some five other free trade zones have been also established in the country since then, including Chabahar in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province, Arvand in southwestern Khuzestan Province, Anzali in northern Gilan Province, Aras in East-Azarbaijan Province and Maku in West-Azarbaijan Province, both in the northwest of the country.
The development of existing free trade zones and the establishment of new FTZs has become one of the major economic approaches of the Iranian government.
In last December, the secretary of the Free Zones High Council said that this council is seeking to modify the country’s free trade zones (FTZ) comprehensive law.
Speaking in a TV program, Abdolmaleki said, “The good news for the entrepreneurs of the regions, both the current ones and those who, God willing, will soon join us, is that we are looking for the modification of the so-called comprehensive law.”
