"Given the guidelines outlined by President Rouhani and the Supreme Council of the Free Zones, especially Dr. Bank, the President's adviser and the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Iran's Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones, we have defined a specific duty for Kish and we expect all segments of the country, especially the economic sector, to help us fulfill it,” Mohammad Ebrahim Ansari Lari was quoted as saying by the Public Relations and International Affairs Department of Kish Free Zone Organization.
"We want Kish to serve as a gateway promoting Iran's relations with the international community, a key role for Kish in the globalization era," he noted.
"Soon, our country's relations with the rest of the world will turn into normal, logical, and ordinary ones. Once the world accepts the Islamic Republic of Iran with all its characteristics while respecting all of its principles, we will find our proper position in the international arena, so we must get familiar with all international rules and regulations," Ansari Lari added.
KFZO head also emphasized that the Persian Gulf Island of Kish is the best part of Iran that can effectively expand the international interactions and take the necessary measures in this regard, with the lowest costs and the utmost benefits. "Kish can share an invaluable experience with the mainland," he underscored.
Ansari Lari called on Iranian policymakers to assign to Kish the mission of establishing communication and exchange with the world countries.
"We cannot ignore international measures and global relations; we must take a scientific and logical approach and generalize it to the whole country. We expect that Kish should be allowed to develop relations on an international level. Let's this experience be formed and used in Kish." he pointed out.
Ansari Lari also touched on the activities carried out during his one-year tenure and the future plans for Kish island and said: "The new airport terminal, equipped with the most advanced facilities and state-of-the-art design, with an annual capacity of 6 million passengers, will be launched 9 months later. The runway of the new airport has already been operational with the new ILS system, and the port terminal that its platform has already been opened will be dredged over the next two years and will be equipped with the most up-to-date port facilities. Besides the project, the implementation of a unique plan to set up an artificial island and a smaller Kish will also possible."
Ansari Lari emphasized that Kish's tourism, recreation, and sports facilities are improving, adding that in the second half of the last Persian calendar year (starting on March 20) three new hotels were put into operation and three others will be opened on the island by the end of the year. He also unveiled the launch of three infrastructure projects in Kish, amounting to a total value of over three trillion Tomans within the next two months.
Managing director of Kish Free Zone Organization also pointed to the rapid development of the internet infrastructures of the island, saying tourists visiting the Persian Gulf island will soon enjoy free internet access.
He added that Telekish SIM cards will be upgraded from 3G to 4G, and the users of this network will be supplied with cheaper internet services in comparison to those offered in other parts of Iran.
"By establishing new rules for work, residence,... within the legal frameworks of the country, the process of residence and living in Kish Island will change for better; so that peace, security, health, beauty, the environment and all the existing standards in the island which have been specially formulated and are the result of the efforts of managers over the past years will be preserved, stabilized and promoted.", he concluded.
PR & Int'l Affairs Department- KFZO