Urmia, Iran, Nov. 24
By Temkin Jafarov - Trend:
The Poldesht-Shahtakhti border checkpoint is located on Iran's border with Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, therefore, Iran attaches great importance to its work, the executive director of Iran's Maku free economic area, Hossein Forouzan, told Azerbaijani reporters in Iran Nov. 24.
He said that currently a discussion is underway on the issue of the Poldesht-Shahtakhti border checkpoint's round-the-clock work.
Forouzan said Iran intends to boost the border checkpoint's work.
He went on to add that the issue of switching the border checkpoint to the round-the-clock mode was discussed 10 days ago by the Iranian side at a meeting with officials from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Forouzan also talked about the potential of the Maku free economic area, and called on the Azerbaijani and Turkish businessmen to invest in its development.
"Investments in the free economic area benefit both to Iran and Azerbaijan. Maku has all the conditions for making investments," he said, adding that the export of goods produced in the free economic area is exempt from customs duties.
"The Maku free economic area, in particular, produces furniture and clothing. A preferential taxation for 20 years is used with regard to the enterprises working in the free economic area," Forouzan added.
He also proposed to establish a joint free economic area on the border with Azerbaijan.
"If there is Azerbaijan's consent, then we are ready to create a free economic area near the Poldesht-Shahtakhti border checkpoint," he said.
Forouzan added that in the next two months, the economy and industry minister of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will review the activities of the Maku free economic area.
"I believe that after this visit, opportunities will be expanded for joint activities of the citizens of Iran and Azerbaijan," he noted.
He also expressed hope for strengthening relations between Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Iran's Maku free economic area was created in 2012 and is located in a territory of 5,000 square meters. It unites the cities of Maku, Poldesht, Bazargan and Shot.
Currently, the necessary infrastructure is being built for the development of this free economic area, and in six months an airport will be commissioned there.
The road infrastructure was improved in the Maku free economic area, and land plots were allocated to construct industry facilities.
At the moment, the Maku free economic area has 30 industrial enterprises that manufacture petrochemical products, furniture, plastic doors and windows.
Edited by CN
