The Expediency Council, a powerful body that resolves disputes between the parliament and the Guardians Council, approved on Wednesday the establishment of seven free trade zones and 13 special economic zones.
The Guardians Council is an oversight body that ensures laws are in line with the Iranian Constitution and Islamic law.
According to Secretary of the High Council of Free Trade Zones and Special Economic Areas Hamidreza Momeni, the seven new FTZs include Mehran in the western province of Ilam, Sistan in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province, Baneh-Marivan in the northwestern Kurdestan Province, Bushehr in southern Bushehr Province, Qasr-e Shirin in western Kermanshah Province, Ardabil in northwestern Ardabil Province and Incheh Borun in the northeastern Golestan Province.
“Members of the council also greenlighted the creation of 13 special economic zones, namely Lar and Fasa in Fars Province, Abarkouh and Meybod in Yazd Province, Zanjan in Zanjan Province, Gachsaran in Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad Province, Serow in West Azarbaijan Province, Khaf and Qouchan in Khorasan Razavi Province, Khorramabad in Lorestan Province, Takestan in Qazvin Province, Shahin-Shahr in Isfahan Province and Savojbolagh in Alborz Province,” he said.
The bill on the creation of new FTZs had been approved by the parliament thrice in the Iranian years ending March 2019 and 2020, but was rejected by the Guardians Council every time, IRNA reported.
Iran currently has seven trade and industrial free zones, namely Kish, Qeshm, Chabahar, Anzali, Aras, Arvand and Maku.
Trade balance of free and special economic zones stood at $10.15 billion in the fiscal 2020-21, according to the deputy secretary of High Council of Trade and Industrial Free and Special Economic Zones.
Free and special economic zones exports stood at $854 million and over $13 billion respectively during the period under review.
"Coronavirus affected trade in these areas during the fiscal 2020-21 and caused a 10% decrease in the volume of trade," Ahmad Jamali was quoted as saying by IRNA.
The trade balance of FTZs hit $154 million and SEZs was over $10 billion in the last fiscal year.
Iran's total trade stood at 145.7 million tons worth $73 billion in this period, of which exports account for 112 million tons worth $34.25 billion and imports reached 34.4 million tons worth 38.4 billion.
