TEHRAN—Ministers of cultural heritage and foreign affairs have called formation of a joint committee, deploying tourism consultants, and easing investment as a strategic priority of the government.

According to Mehr news agency, the joint gathering of Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi was held at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage on Sunday.

Explaining the plans of Cultural Heritage Ministry, Salehi-Amiri said: “Formation of a joint committee between Ministries of Cultural Heritage and Foreign Affairs is a necessity for boosting cooperation. We need to deploy tourism consultants in target countries. Also, activating embassies in the field of international tourism exhibitions and accompanying foreign trips should be on the joint agenda.”

Pointing to the investment capacities in tourism sector, he said that 114 anonymous investment permissions have been issued in tourism industry within the past eight months. 

The government has also increased the attractiveness of investment by approving five key incentives, including zeroing intra-city tolls and removing restrictions on mixed-use complexes, he added. 

These reforms could pave the way for foreign investors to enter, he said, adding that the arrival of Egyptian tourists to Iran could make a major contribution to the booming tourism industry. 

Following the meeting, Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi appreciated the approach of the Cultural Heritage Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri, adding: “We understand the cultural values of presence of tourists in Iran and believe that today, cultural diplomacy is one of the pivotal necessities for improving Iran’s image in international level.”

He also emphasized the diplomatic apparatus's full readiness to cooperate in developing the tourism industry.

Araghchi added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports the formation of any type of joint commission or working group that can provide the basis for promoting cooperation and expanding the presence of foreign tourists in Iran.

He noted that the convergence of diplomatic and cultural heritage capacities can present a more positive image of Iran at the international level, and this issue is on the Foreign Ministry's agenda as a strategic necessity.

KD