KISH -- The First International Vehicle Exhibition (February 27-March 3) has been warmly welcomed by visitors at its early hours.

The ongoing exhibition is attended by Germany, England, France, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Slovakia, and Thailand as well as a number of domestic producers of vehicles and their parts.

Around 35 Iranian and foreign vehicle producers have showcased their products at the current exhibition.

The exhibition has been arranged jointly by the trade promotion center affiliated to Kish Free Zone Organization (KFZO), the Export Department of the Ministry of Industries and Mines and Pars Rastak Co.

The exhibition's Executive Secretary, Mahdi Saed al-Zakerin told IRNA that a 50 percent discount on import customs duties will be extended to the attending producers.

"Following the revised policies effected in the vehicle industry, KFZO intends to convert the island into a permanent exhibition center," he said.

He added that in line with the effected policies, facilities will be provided for those wishing to represent Iranian and foreign vehicle producers.

The ongoing exhibition, which is held on a 5,000 square meter plot of land, aims to introduce the latest vehicles produced in the world and present the potentials of Iran's vehicle production industry.

The officials in charge hope that such exhibitions on Kish Island will provide proper opportunities for the participants and visitors to conduct negotiations, given that they facilitate frequent visits by the foreign producers.

According to the visitors, the exhibition can serve as a positive step towards broadening ties between the Iranian and foreign auto makers.

They reiterated that the industry needs strong backing to compete globally.

The visitors hoped that the first vehicle exhibition in Kish will succeed in developing the required incentives to the effect and produce more significant results.