The deputy director of the free economic zone Aras for economic
affairs Iradzh Hatami said at a meeting with a delegation from the
Moscow Trade and Industry Chamber, headed by Radzhab Safarov,
supervisor of the chamber's commission for Iran. Hatami said that the
income from Aras from March 21 to December 21, 2010 increased 21-fold,
compared with the same period in 2009, Iran.ru cites IRNA.
Hatami said that Aras is aiming at producing various goods, developing
trade and providing engineering and technical services. Its work was
worth $130 million.
Aras's exports in the period exceeded $17.5 million, compared with
$643,000 in the same period of 2009.
Foreign companies are taking active part in the company. Azerbaijan
and Turkey are making direct investments into the project, China -
indirect.
Aras has a complex investment program. A joint Iranian-Ukrainian
company is receiving the license for producing containers for
compressed gas. Another prospect project is construction of a power
plant in Aras, an airport, center for international exhibitions,
agriculture science and research center.
Hatami noted that the free economic zone will have extension of the
Julfa-Aslanduz railway to Azerbaijan. The railway will allow
restoration of the link between Tehran and Moscow. It is a strategic
project of Iran and the CIS members.
Hatami said that construction of the new railway will cost
approximately $400 million. He requested the Moscow Trade and Industry
Chamber to organize Russian participation in the project.
The Russian delegation visited various industrial enterprises at Aras
free economic zone.
