Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.1
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Iran's economy ministry plans to develop a program aimed to diversify foreign finance methods within a period of three months, IRNA quoted deputy economy minister Behrouz Alishiri as saying on February 1.
The plan has not been finalized yet, he said, adding that other plans to selling shares to the private sector in the international level are being prepared.
Foreign investment in Iran amounted to $3.45 billion in the first ten months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21, 2013, Alishiri said on January 28.
Some 1,400 investment opportunities have been so far introduced and 31 foreign investment delegations have been invited to the country in the current year.
In July 2013, Alishiri said that Iran will try to lure foreign investors with tax exemptions ranging as high as 100 percent.
"Foreigners investing in the country's agriculture sector won't have to pay any taxes. Investments in industry and mining will be exempt up to 80 percent," he said.
Iran needs annual domestic and foreign investment of about $300 billion until 2015 to meet its economic objectives, he added.
"Iran attracted $4.85 billion in foreign investment in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2013)," he underscored, adding that the figure hit $2.60 billion and $4.60 billion in 2011 and 2012, respectively.