TEHRAN: After the lifting of sanctions a situation should be created for free trade zones (FTZs) to immediately move toward attracting domestic and foreign investment and turn into hubs for exports, President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday.
The FTZs should also turn into centers for production of goods for which there are demands for export, Rouhani said in a meeting held to coordinate policies on resistance economy.
The president also stressed the need for reforms and closing loopholes for favoritism and corruption in FTZs.
“Free trade zones in the country, instead of focusing on imports, should get closer to their original goal which is promoting exports,” Rouhani noted.
To do so the best commercial services commensurate to international standards in banking, insurance, and transportation should be provided, the president said, adding that the ground should be prepared to produce value-added commodities through employing advanced technology with the least amount of red tape.
