Tehran: Iran and Pakistan have reached a preliminary agreement to establish a joint free zone on the Rimdan-Ghabd border, marking a significant step towards enhancing regional economic cooperation. This agreement was made during discussions between Reza Masrour, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones in Iran, and his Pakistani counterpart, Ms. Iqbal. The discussions took place on the sidelines of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Pakistan.
According to Yemen News Agency, the establishment of this joint free zone aligns with policies aimed at fostering regional economic collaboration. It seeks to promote cross-border trade, attract investments, and improve border infrastructure. The Ramdan Border Crossing, located in Dashtiari County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran, serves as a crucial point of connection between Iran and Pakistan. On the Pakistani side, it is approximately 70 kilometers from Gwadar and is strategically positioned at the end of the Makran Coastal Highway.
A Pakistani government delegation is set to visit the Ramdan Border Crossing in the next two weeks to assess the project's implementation aspects, including the size of the area, economic benefits, and the cooperation model. The meeting also addressed management strategies for the joint free zone, the framework for tax and customs exemptions, infrastructure provision, and investment attraction.
During the meeting, Masrour highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with neighboring countries, emphasizing the deep cultural and civilizational links between Iran and Pakistan. He acknowledged the potential for enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of joint free zones and extraterritorial agriculture.
Masrour underscored the need for legal processes to implement the plan, stating that the cooperation document's completion would require approval from Iran's cabinet and subsequent legal procedures in the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Ms. Iqbal, representing the Pakistani government and Balochistan provincial authorities, reiterated their commitment to developing economic relations with Iran through the joint free zone. This initiative forms part of the strategic transformation plan for free zones, supported by the Presidency of the Republic and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.