Reza Masroor, Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade, Industrial, and Special Economic Zones announced that the country supports Afghan investors and that they can obtain residency in Iran’s free trade zones.
However, the official stated: "We also have illegal migration to these areas, which we are preventing."
According to Iranian media, Masroor said in a press conference on Saturday, February 15: "We welcome investors of all nationalities and support Afghan investment in Iran. Anyone who invests can obtain residency in free zones."
He added: "In fact, the advantage of investing in free zones is that [investors] can benefit from residency."
The Iranian official stated that the Islamic Republic has recently held negotiations with the Taliban ambassador in Iran regarding attracting investment from Afghanistan.
He further said: "Afghans have investment plans in the free zones of Sistan, Chabahar, and Dogharoon, and they have requested investment opportunities in port development, terminal construction, and warehouse establishment."
The Islamic Republic has seven free trade zones, including Kish, Qeshm, Chabahar, Anzali, Aras, Arvand, and Maku.
In July 2024, Mahmoud Siadat, the chairman of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce stated that more than 50 percent of foreign-registered companies in Iran belong to Afghan citizens. He added that Afghan traders have invested over three billion dollars in the country.
