TEHRAN, Iran, May.7
Trend:
Finalizing the formation of Ardabil Free Zone for Ardabil Province would create the possibility to reduce deficiencies and moving toward progress, said a representative of Ardabil Province in parliament.
The idea of establishing Ardabil Free Zone to remove obstacles has been discussed and was fruitful, Sodeif Badri told Trend in an interview.
"Ardabil Province has a 369-kilometer border with the Republic of Azerbaijan but unfortunately in past decades, the opportunity has not been used well. Optimal opportunity management alongside precise and comprehensive planning for implementation of this law would develop relations between Ardabil Province and the Republic of Azerbaijan," he said.
"Increase of investment in the province, solving the issue of unemployment and increasing per capita income alongside the development of Ardabil province relations with its neighbor provinces and the Republic of Azerbaijan are the result of proper management," he noted.
Launching free trade zone would increase Ardabil Province agricultural export to 3 million tons.
Free trade and industrial zone is an important developing infrastructure in Ardabil Province and the formation of a free trade zone would lead to comprehensive growth that creates jobs and economic improvement.
"The advantages of free trade zone include using the value-added law for production companies, having the liberty for the capital transaction, having specific customs instruction, import and export regulations, and no visa requirement for foreigners," he added.
"Tax exemptions, possibility to import pieces of machinery and parts and basic materials for regional industries without customs fees is another advantage of creating a free zone in Ardabil Province," Badri said.
Ardabil has 380 kilometers border with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The law to create eight free trade and industrial zones, reforming 3 free industrial zones, and creating 13 special economic zones has been discussed between parliament and the Guardian Council several times. The parliament speaker has sent the law to the expediency council on May 20, 2020, which has been approved.