A Thai trade delegation, comprising private sector investors, has expressed interest in financing tourism projects in the port city of Anzali, Mazandaran Province.
During a visit to the Anzali Free Zone, the delegation met with the zone’s officials for tourism and economic affairs, and discussed investment opportunities, Farina news website reported.
Seyyed Ebrahim Saqaei, Anzali Free Zone Organization’s deputy for economic affairs, elaborated on the advantages of investing in Iran’s free zones, including tax exemption, and added that the organization has prioritized investment in high-tech projects.
“We believe Thailand’s technological know-how, in addition to their experience in tourism, can be very helpful,” he said.
Pointing to the region’s moderate climate, seaside recreational facilities, long coastline and proximity to the Caspian Hyrcanian Forests, Majid Fatehi, the organization’s deputy for tourism affairs, said Anzali has all the makings of a tourist hotspot.
“The area experienced an 18% growth in tourist arrivals in the past six months compared with the corresponding period of last year,” he said.
Seyyed Mubarak Lirpung, CEO of a Thai investment firm and a member of the delegation, said his company specializes in developing tourism infrastructure, especially lodging facilities.
Lirpung said a group of experts and analysts from Thailand will travel to Iran by the yearend to conduct feasibility studies to pave the way for joint projects in the region.
