TEHRAN – Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash has outlined three major strategies for the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) to pursue in the next Iranian calendar year, which begins on March 20.

As reported by the portal of the ministry, the development of a maritime-based economy, the development of maritime transit, and logistics management are the main strategies that the PMO is going to pursue in the upcoming year.

According to Bazrpash, with the implementation of these three strategies in the next year, the role of commercial ports will become more effective in the country's economy.

Pointing to the multiplicity of decisions regarding port affairs in the country and its harmfulness in the service implementation process, the minister said: “According to the announcement of the president, the Ports, and Maritime Organization will be in charge of the coordination of all the ports authorities in the next year; so decision-making and management of communication among port authorities should be a priority of the organization in the coming year.”

He further called on the PMO to focus its efforts on attracting investment in the country’s ports, and added: “Activities in the ports and coasts of the country have always been attractive for domestic investors, so in a different and motivating approach, certain investment packages should be provided for domestic investor institutions and companies.”

Another priority of the Ports and Maritime Organization in the coming year should be the development and organization of local wharves and the promotion of employment in the southern coasts of the country, he added.

Referring to the importance of marine tourism and the promotion of sea trips on the coasts and islands of the country, Bazarpash emphasized: “The renovation of passenger vessels and promotion of marine tourism also needs a more suitable platform to attract investors.”

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