Iran’s Economy Ministry has renewed its push to address long-standing challenges facing foreign investors, as more than 70 international investors met with Mehdi Heydari, head of the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI).
According to Shada, Heydari said preparations for launching an International Exchange in the Kish Free Zone are in their final stages, calling it a key step toward improving Iran’s investment climate. He stressed that the session was designed to hear investor concerns rather than deliver official speeches, adding that foreign investment remains an economic necessity.
Heydari said the guideline for establishing private investment-promotion agencies has been finalized and will soon be issued. These agencies, operating independently from the government, are expected to help resolve procedural obstacles while building profitable business models. Companies already investing in Iran are likely candidates to run such agencies, he noted.
To strengthen post-investment support, Heydari announced that a dedicated officer has been appointed to follow up on issues raised by companies with existing permits, with plans to systematize this service to reassure investors of continuous institutional backing.
He also highlighted the development of new financial instruments, including foreign-currency investment tools discussed in a recent meeting with the president. An FX-based instrument with stable yields will be introduced soon to protect the real value of investors’ capital.
Regulatory improvements have also been implemented. Foreign investors can now sell their currency on the secondary market at rates close to the free market. In addition, gold imports can be sold transparently on the Iran Mercantile Exchange—an option previously limited to a single trading center.
Heydari said a list of attractive investment projects across energy, petrochemicals, mining, logistics and renewables will soon be published. He also noted closer coordination with the Foreign Ministry’s economic diplomacy division.
“Investors want to build, not just earn,” Heydari said, pledging intensified efforts to resolve concerns and continued follow-up with participants.
