Addressing the gathering of representatives of the chamber which was held in the presence of free zone officials, Shafei said that free zones have been one of the important tools of the governments in promoting trade and strengthening exports in the developed countries, adding that when we compare the performance of free zones of the country with successful countries like Taiwan, China and South Korea, we see many weaknesses and shortages in free zones of the country from their establishment.

He noted that study shows that free zones in the under developed countries which have insignificant share of the global markets can have destructive effects, adding that free zones were formed to boost blessing of international trade and to protect the domestic protection capacity from being elimination on this course.

He then highlighted major goals and performance of free zones, adding that Iran is gradually becoming fully free zones but it is still unknown with which infrastructure it happens, noting that the launch of free zones should be after thorough technical and economic studies.

Shafei also reacted to the Vienna talks and Ukraine war and said they will have their own consequences on Iran’s economy. He criticized Covid pandemic, sanctions and management in recent years as the main reasons for economic flop, adding that all economic activities have been just for survival rather than developing.

He noted if the Vienna talks end successfully and sanctions are lifted, country is necessary to change its economic management towards developmental economy, something that the country has been missing it in the past years.

He also warned over opening the borders for imports of useless commodities which will hurt the economy, adding that it may reduce the forex rate for short term but it will hurt the economy in long term.

Shafei urged the government to study the past decisions to avoid their repetitions and called for control of the inflation and fore market which are essential for having a stable economy.

The post Shafei Warns Over Rise in Number of Free Zones appeared first on Iran News Daily.

In the meeting, Shafei deplored over the decline of Iran’s trade with EU states by $30b due to the U.S. sanctions that both parties should not pass it easily. He then said Finland is of the European states which enjoys high economic growth and level of public welfare, and then pointed to using the experience of this country by Iran in the current condition.

He expressed interests for using the experience of Finland in the fields of Aquatic animal industry and marine industries as well as appropriate water usage through the new methods, and said these fields are important for Iran because Iran is located on a massive dry arid area and it needs to take advantage of modern agro methods in the future and for this reason it can have good cooperation with Finland.

Then Finnish Ambassador Norvanto, for his part, pointed to the new government in Iran which is taking office and said the current condition is a very critical stage for Iran and Finland is waiting for the new government’s decisions in the field of economy.

He then pointed to the good relation between Tehran and Helsinki and pointed to the joint meetings of the two countries at the embassy and added that after some useful talks, one can hope that both countries take long stride towards picking up the bilateral trade relation. He added that the embassy is tasked to pick up the relations in all spheres especially in the economy and expressed hope after taking office of the new government, this path would continue.

Norvanto emphasized that expansion of economic relations of the two states requires identifying the important grounds for cooperation and termed it important more participations from the tradesmen of the two countries for receiving updated information from Iran and Finland’s economic condition.

Then Shafei said sanctions have had unpleasant effects on economic relations of Iran with other countries especially Finland but the future is bright for Iran that it can compensate the past. He said unfortunately sanctions have caused the trade between Iran and EU states to decline by $30b and it will affect the economy of both sides and one should not pass it easily.

He also welcomed Norvanto’s suggestion for boosting the level of knowledge of tradesmen of the two countries from the conditions in Finland and Iran.

Then Norvanto expressed hope by removal of the sanctions, the ground for expansion of trade relation of Iran and Finland would be provided.

Earlier in the day, Norvanto had meeting with Iranian business activists where the participants exchanged views for boosting bilateral cooperation.

The post Iran-Finland Joint Chamber of Commerce to Be Launched in 3 Weeks appeared first on Iran News Daily.