Pezeshkian launches 90 free zone projects, eying global competitiveness
President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday commissioned 90 investment projects across Iran's free trade-industrial and special economic zones during an online ceremony focused on construction, investment, and tourism developments.
Speaking at the event, Pezeshkian emphasized that strategic planning is necessary for each free zone's advancement. "Strategic planning for each free zone is essential. If we don't have a scientific, expert-based plan for developing each zone based on competition with successful global free zones, and merely rely on construction without a roadmap, we will ultimately fall behind global developments," his website, president.ir quoted Pezeshkian as saying.
The president stressed the necessity of a strategic, forward-looking approach grounded in new technologies to guide development in such areas. He stated that industrial and production units must be designed to ensure sustainability, competitiveness, quality, and reasonable pricing to compete regionally and globally, with resulting benefits flowing to the nation and its citizens.
Pezeshkian also underscored the importance of environmental considerations in project execution. "We hope the spaces created in these zones will be environmentally friendly and extensively use solar panels and clean energy, such that a healthy and sustainable environment based on renewable energy is provided for thermal energy supply, heating and cooling," he said.
He expressed hope that this comprehensive, forward-looking, and sustainable approach would pave the way for prosperity, balanced development, and all-around progress in the free zones and surrounding regions.
According to IRNA, the commissioned projects span the Aras, Qeshm, Arvand, and Chabahar free trade-industrial zones, as well as the Sahlan Special Economic Zone. In the Aras Free Zone, 27 projects were inaugurated, generating direct employment for 1,079 people and indirect jobs for 4,495 others. The Qeshm Free Zone saw 25 projects enter operation, creating 248 direct and 417 indirect jobs. Four construction and investment projects were launched in the Arvand Free Zone. In Chabahar, 20 projects commenced operations, providing 201 direct and 22 indirect employment opportunities. Five projects were inaugurated in the Sahlan Special Economic Zone, yielding 336 direct jobs.
The commissioning aligns with the government's core strategy to achieve developmental objectives, stimulate investment, expand employment, and reinforce the role of free zones in driving national economic growth.