TEHRAN - The Secretary of Iran’s Free Zones High Council Hojatollah Abdolmaleki inaugurated two major industrial projects completed with a total investment of 2.7 trillion rials (about $5.4 million) in Anzali Free Zone, Freena reported on Wednesday.

As reported, the mentioned projects, including an industrial freezer manufacturing complex and an LED lamps and lights factory, are going to create direct employment for 95 people.

Located in Gilan Province, north of Iran, the Anzali Free Trade-Industrial Zone is the sole free zone in the southern part of the Caspian Sea with an area of 9,400 hectares and 40 kilometers of shoreline.

It is one of the country’s seven free trade-industrial zones.

Located on the North-South International Corridor, having a special position in connection with the Caspian littoral states, proximity to the ports of Astrakhan and Lagan in Russia, Aktau in Kazakhstan, and Baku in Azerbaijan, access through convenient routes to the consumer markets of CIS countries, and proximity to Rasht International Airport are some advantages of Anzali Free Zone.

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

Photo: Secretary of Iran’s Free Zones High Council Hojatollah Abdolmaleki cuts the ribbon to inaugurate an industrial unit in Anzali Free Zone on Wednesday.