According to the Public Relations and International Affairs of Kish Free Zone Organization, Abdolnaser Hemmati, speaking on Thursday, December 1, during the ceremony for the introduction of Mohammad Kabiri as the organization’s CEO, emphasized the necessity of decentralization from Tehran and major cities. He stated: “The 14th government’s policy focuses on developing areas with growth potential, especially in the southern regions of the country, under the framework of sea-based economic development. We must accelerate the growth of the coastal regions along the Persian Gulf and its islands, and we will achieve this.”
The Minister highlighted that Kish has been declining steadily, which has led to expectations from the 14th government to change the current trajectory. He added: “I assure the residents, investors, and private sector stakeholders of Kish that I will work hard to restore the Kish Free Zone to its peak.”
Referring to the global sanctions imposed on Iran, Hemmati stated: “Managers have taken office with full awareness of the circumstances, including the sanctions. Using sanctions as an excuse for underperformance is entirely unacceptable.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of free zones, Hemmati pointed out the diminished features and advantages of these areas, saying: “We believe free zones present a great opportunity to bypass sanctions, yet they have unfortunately been neglected.”
He further remarked: “Today, under certain regulations, investing in the mainland has become easier than in free zones like Kish. Free zones were supposed to play a unique role in the country’s development, separate from the mainland’s regulations. However, due to neglect of laws governing free zones, they are now being administered under mainland laws.”
Expressing regret, Hemmati said: “We are now longing to return the free zones to their conditions of 20 years ago. A significant part of the problems in free zones, especially Kish, is rooted in past management decisions. Following up on any directives that contradict the laws governing free zones should be a responsibility for all officials and a demand from the private sector.”
In response to requests from the Kish private sector for the return of Kish Airlines to the region, Hemmati said: “I will do my utmost to ensure this happens. However, it should be noted that the main issue in this region is not related to airlines; the core problem lies in our inability to create appealing tourism attractions.”