Data: Free zone foreign investment value soars 531%, realized investment up 268%
The value of foreign investment projects in Iran’s free trade zones rose by 531% in the first 11 months of the year, which began on March 21, 2025, while realized foreign investment grew by 268%, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
According to Tasnim news agency, the ministry announced that during this period, attracted domestic investment in free zones also increased by 125%, and realized domestic investment grew by 36%. Additionally, exports from free zones rose by 14%, and the value of production in these regions increased by 28%.
The Ministry of Economy emphasized that despite the US-Israeli attacks that began on Feb. 28, it is striving to maintain economic stability and supply the country’s essential needs by maintaining a constant presence alongside the people and economic actors.
According to the announcement, the Foreign Investment Board held 13 sessions throughout the year, resulting in the approval of nearly 650 applications from foreign investment applicants, foreign investors, joint companies, and Iranian contracting parties, worth $17 billion.
With the entry of the aforementioned foreign capital into the country — part of which has become operational and imported — a significant portion of the financial resources required for economic enterprises and development and infrastructure projects in the country has been supplied, playing a major role in the country’s construction and development.
The announced figure of $17 billion includes approved projects but does not signify the realization of this amount of investment. In reality, this figure is equivalent to the value of projects proposed by foreign investors and Iranians living abroad, and only a portion of this amount has actually entered the projects so far.