At a joint meeting of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and leaders of the country's chambers of commerce, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones, and CEOs of these zones, the need to strengthen cooperation and create a joint working group at the national and regional levels to facilitate the development of investment and exports was emphasized.
On the Path to Development and Investment
According to the Jahan Sanat newspaper, at a joint meeting of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and a group of leaders of the country's chambers of commerce, specialized commissions and organizations, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, and a group of CEOs of these zones, the need to strengthen cooperation and create a joint working group at the national and regional levels was discussed and agreed upon. At this meeting, which was also attended by Engineer Vafaei, CEO of the Sirjan Special Economic Zone, the President of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce reiterated the philosophy of free zones, established to develop and encourage investment and exports. He stated: "For several years, restrictions due to sanctions have had a negative impact on the volume of investment. Despite this, wise measures have been taken in free zones, even though their capacities are greater and must be used to benefit the country's economy."
Statement of Readiness
Samad Hassanzadeh expressed his readiness to cooperate with free zones and the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, using all the means and capabilities at his disposal. He suggested placing a joint national and regional working group on the agenda, collecting specifications for pilot projects proposed by free zones, and reviewing them at the Iranian Chamber of Commerce's research center. These projects can cover various fields and facilitate investment development. At the following meeting, Ali Chagrovand, representative of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce's committees, assemblies, and councils, presented a report prepared by the representative of the committees, assemblies, and councils.
This report was developed by analyzing the philosophy of free zones, the experiences and approaches studied in different countries, and examining their development and defined objectives.
The report highlighted the challenges and structural weaknesses of free zones, including deviations from the main objectives, the lack of national vision and inappropriate policies, financial inadequacies and incentives, and infrastructure barriers. Finally, a review of the laws governing free zones, the Direct Taxes Law, the Special Zones Law, and the Law on Combating Smuggling of Goods and Currency, was suggested.
The use of new technologies to boost exports is among the issues that free zones should consider. Defining Judicial Mechanisms
A member of the Iranian House of Representatives discussed defining specific judicial mechanisms for free trade zones and special arbitration centers. Abolfazl Hejazi, a member of the Qom Chamber of Commerce, criticized the inappropriate judicial treatment of economic activists and investors: "This type of treatment leads to the failure of projects and the waste of capital."
Issa Mansouri, director of the Research Center of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, said: "According to studies, we will soon face a strong demand from investors, particularly from East Asia and Turkey, to complete production chains in Iran. This demand presents an opportunity for free trade zones."
He continued: "Currently, five applications to establish foreign investment centers in free trade zones have not been successful. We can consider agreements and arrangements to direct these projects to free trade zones."
Facilitating the provision of facilities
Mansouri continued: "We must facilitate the provision of financial, customs, and transportation services and transactions so that these foreign investment centers can establish themselves in free zones." The director of the Research Center of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized: "One of the main reasons for the departure of specialists from the country is contempt."
The digital sector is facing challenges related to infrastructure issues and the presence of Iranian accounts for Iranian companies, which prevents them from operating abroad. Free zones can take steps to address this issue. The proposed mechanisms are ready, and we can present them."
Keyvan Kashfi, a member of the board of directors of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, also suggested: "Creating a balance between new free zones and utilizing the real capabilities of the private sector should be considered by the free zones' board of directors. If the government's vision is to impose itself and establish a long-term presence in free zones, macroeconomic objectives will not be achieved, and the new free zones will not be effective."
Farajollah Memari, director of the Macroeconomic Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and director of the Semnan Chamber of Commerce, also stated: "Free zones are the foundation of private sector economic diplomacy. From this perspective, the position of the private sector is evolving. It is therefore preferable to create a consultative council between the free zones and the Iranian Chamber of Commerce." We must develop a cooperation plan between the private sector and the free zones, and we expect the stability of the laws in force within the free zone complex to be respected.
He continued: Both sectors can propose ideas for creating private investment funds, financing, and strengthening cooperation.
Siamak Alishahpour, President of the Abadan Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the need to demarcate the Arvand River and said, "The maritime border in this region must be determined." The arbitrary levying of customs duties on goods imported from the Arvand free zone and the reduction in the number of barges operating in Abadan are other points to be addressed.
Growing Ambiguities
Reza Masroor, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones and Special Economic Zones, stated that the reduced level of relations is leading to growing ambiguities. He stressed the need to systematically strengthen communication and organize meetings in different free zones. He added: "If these meetings are organized periodically in different free zones, it will be possible to familiarize oneself with the capabilities of these zones."
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