Chabahar Port upgrading commercial capacity of region: MP
A member of the Social Commission of the Parliament said the development of Chabahar Port is not only the basis for the development of trade in Iran, but also a trade gateway that helps many countries in the region to increase their trade.
Ali Kord told Iran Daily that Chabahar is the only oceanic port in Iran, the development of which not only leads to the removal of poverty from the southern and southeastern provinces of Iran, but also provides the possibility of connecting landlocked countries in the region, such as Afghanistan and Central Asian states, to high seas waters and develops their trade.
Chabahar Port and Makoran coast have great untapped capacities, said the lawmaker noting that during the 45 years after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, many efforts have been made to develop the region to use its capacities, but the infrastructure was so weak that these efforts have not been satisfactory.
“Chabahar and the potentials of the southern coasts of the country can fetch ample forex for Iran along with job creation and industrial development in the southern parts of the country,” he stated.
He went on to say that the realization of these issues depends on the comprehensive development of the southern coasts as well as the attraction of investment in the region, that requires short-, medium- and long-term plans.
Pointing out that Chabahar is one of the important pillars of completing the strategic International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), he said the strategic port plays an important role in sea, air, land and rail transit of the country as it contributes to the development of Sistan and Balouchestan Province and adjacent areas.
Stating that the first step in the development of Chabahar has been taken for many years by turning this area into a Chabahar Free Trade Zone, he said the port can play a brilliant role in the development of the country thanks to its capacities.
The MP went on to say that in this regard, the government should facilitate the attraction of domestic and foreign investment so that investors can freely play a role in the development of the region in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic.
Referring to the ineffective investments of Indians and Afghans in Chabahar, he said these investments did not lead to the desired results because they were not properly planned.
We support foreign investors in Iran and Chabahar as the ground is paved now for their investment, the lawmaker concluded.