TEHRAN – Secretary of Iranian Free Zones High Council said 221 development and investment projects worth a combined 690 trillion rials (about $1.38 billion) were inaugurated or launched across the country’s free zones during the Ten-Day Dawn, marking victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Reza Masrour said 85 projects entered operation while work began on 136 others, according to a statement carried by IRNA on Sunday.

Projects that have come on stream include more than 150 trillion rials (about $300 million) in domestic investment and €50 million in foreign investment, while those newly launched involve 350 trillion rials (about $700 million) in domestic funding and a further €50 million in foreign investment, he said, describing the figures as evidence of sustained investment momentum in free and special economic zones.

The completed projects have created 1,692 direct jobs and 5,944 indirect jobs, Masrour said.

He added that the schemes are located in the Aras, Anzali, Qeshm, Makou, Chabahar, Arvand, Incheh Borun and Dogharoun free zones, with many focused on expanding industrial, logistics, services and production infrastructure.

Masrour said most projects were implemented with private-sector participation, reflecting growing investor confidence in the competitive advantages of the zones, while state-funded infrastructure projects have helped complete public facilities and support production units.

He said special economic zones also saw 56 projects inaugurated or launched, with government investment of 26 trillion rials (about $52 million), private investment of 33 trillion rials (about $66 million) and foreign currency investment totaling €5.8 billion. More than 10,000 direct jobs are expected to be created once the projects are operational.

Masrour said the projects would strengthen infrastructure, support job creation and help boost non-oil exports and balanced regional development.

Iran's free trade zones play a crucial role in facilitating trade, investment, and tourism by offering tax incentives, reduced tariffs, and streamlined regulations. The southern zones, such as Chabahar, Kish, and Qeshm, serve as key gateways for trade with the Indian Ocean, while northern zones like Anzali and Mazandaran provide critical access to the Caspian Sea region.

The Chabahar Free Zone, in particular, holds strategic significance as a transit hub connecting Iran to Central Asia, Afghanistan, and India via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Meanwhile, Kish and Qeshm are pivotal for tourism and energy-related industries, with advanced port infrastructure to support containerized and bulk cargo handling.

The total capacity of 61 million tons of bulk cargo and 1.4 million containers highlights the zones' potential to strengthen Iran’s position as a regional logistics hub. Additionally, the ability to accommodate 12 million passengers annually reflects the zones' growing role in boosting tourism and maritime transport.

Officials emphasized the need to address challenges, including infrastructure development and modernizing port facilities, to fully capitalize on the economic opportunities offered by the free zones.

The establishment of free trade zones (FTZs) in Iran dates back to the Iranian calendar year 1368 (March 1989 - March 1990) following the fall in the country’s oil income in the preceding year which prompted the government to promote non-oil exports.

The first two free trade zones of Iran were established in the south of the country. The first one was Kish Free Trade Zone established in 1368 on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf and the second one was Qeshm Free Trade Zone established the year after on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Some five other free trade zones have been also established in the country since then, including Chabahar in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province, Arvand in southwestern Khuzestan Province, Anzali in northern Gilan Province, Aras in East-Azarbaijan Province and Maku in West-Azarbaijan Province, both in the northwest of the country. 

The development of existing free trade zones and the establishment of new FTZs has become one of the major economic approaches of the Iranian government.

EF/MA