KISH, Hormozgan Prov. -- Managing Director of Kish Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) Hossein Qassemi said here on Thursday that national FTZs should cooperate in line with national interests rather than competing.

He told a public gathering in presence of President Mohammad Khatami that the ministries and state organizations can establish their branch offices in Kish Island to benefit from the investment facilities and play a decisive role in the development of FTZs.

"KFTZ welcomes any independent and joint activity in the area as a means to promote national interest," he added.

He noted that Kish is a center to attract investments from Iranian expatriates residing overseas, who might be reluctant to transfer their capital to any other areas.

"One billion dollars in investments of foreign origin have so far been made in the island's various sectors, which is mainly focused on tourism, industries and services," he added.

Referring to the high potentials and benefits of the free trade zones, specially KFTZ, for the regional and world economy, he said that KFTZ can be very effective in forming a link between the regional and global economy.

He said that the number of FTZs worldwide is growing adding that currently there are at least 882 free trade zones around the world.

"Given its special infrastructure and particular situation, Kish Island provides proper grounds for experiencing the practices of the global economy and applying it at the national level," he added.

The island serves as a center for holding fairs, festivals and seminars. He added that in the past Iranian year (ended March 20), 15 conferences were held in Kish, reported IRNA.

He also referred to the Rls.330 billion worth Kish International Conference Center currently under construction and said that it is due to be implemented toward the end of the current year.

"A project on information technology already operational in Kish Island has prepared the grounds for electronic commerce by expanding the fiber optic and Internet networks," he concluded.