-
IMF High-Level Policy Forum on Sovereign Debt Opens in Kuwait
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) launched its High-Level Policy Forum in Kuwait on Wednesday, bringing together senior policymakers from ministries of finance and economy, central banks, and debt management offices worldwide. Iran is represented by Rahmatollah Akrami, the country’s Treasurer General, who heads the Iranian delegation.
-
Iran, Armenia Eye Eurasian Market Through Economic Cooperation
Iran and Armenia are seeking to deepen economic ties with an eye on the Eurasian market. In a recent meeting in Tehran, Grigor Hakobyan, Armenia’s ambassador to Iran, and Reza Masroor, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, discussed ways to expand bilateral trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.
-
Iran Introduces Comprehensive Guidelines for Establishing Foreign Investment Promotion Agencies
Iran has announced its first official framework for the establishment, operation, and supervision of foreign investment promotion agencies, aiming to align with global best practices and significantly increase foreign direct investment (FDI).
-
Iran’s Foreign Trade Reaches $76.5 Billion in Eight Months: IRICA
The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) has reported that the country’s foreign trade in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (beginning March 21, 2025) exceeded $76.5 billion.
-
Iran Turns to Private Agencies to Court Foreign Investment
Iran’s government has unveiled a new framework allowing private agencies to spearhead the attraction of foreign investment, a move officials describe as the first serious attempt to mobilise the private sector in this field. The initiative was announced by Mehdi Heidari, Deputy Minister of Economy.
-
Iran’s Economy Ministry Aims to Resolve Petrochemical Financing Issues
This week, Iran’s Ministry of Economy gathered senior officials, bankers, and industry leaders to address a significant challenge: securing funding for 16 unfinished petrochemical and refining projects in the South Pars Special Economic Energy Zone. These projects collectively require an estimated $10 billion in financing.
-
Megaproject “Twenty”: A Surge Forward Amid Sanctions
The “Twenty Project” is one of six megaprojects outlined in Iran’s Ministry of Economy’s strategic plan for achieving “inclusive, justice-oriented growth.” Its objective is to finance and implement at least 20 large-scale, foreign currency–earning projects, each designed to deliver a tangible boost to the country’s GDP.
-
Iran Issues Official Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Foreign Investment Promotion Agencies
Tehran - November 26, 2025: The Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran has formally issued the Guidelines for the Establishment, Operation, and Oversight of Foreign Investment Promotion Agencies, in line with Article 30 of the Law on Financing Production and Infrastructure.
-
67 Foreign Investment Requests Approved Worth $485 Million
In the ninth meeting of the Foreign Investment Board this year, 67 foreign investment applications with a total value of $485 million were approved.
-
National will for FTZs reform gains momentum, says senior official
At a joint meeting between Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and investors in the Aras Free Trade Zone, Reza Masroor, Secretary of the High Council of Free Trade Zones (FTZs), underscored the need for a unified national will to drive transformative change in the country’s free zones. He outlined progress made in addressing recent challenges and stressed that free zones must play a decisive role in reshaping Iran’s economic trajectory.
-
Iran and Armenia seek smoother trade flows
Iran and Armenia are stepping up efforts to ease cross-border commerce and expand transit links, underscoring the growing importance of their shared frontier as a gateway to Eurasia.
-
Iran looks to digital economy for growth
Iran’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance has placed the digital economy at the centre of its growth strategy. In a meeting with technology entrepreneurs, the minister announced plans to establish a dedicated deregulation board and a monthly council for dialogue between government and the private sector, initiatives unprecedented in Iran’s economic policymaking and inspired by successful international models.
-
Iran’s Economy Ministry highlights financing and foreign investment at KishInvex 2025
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance assumed a prominent and pragmatic role at the 12th KishInvex 2025, concentrating on the identification of flagship economic projects, the introduction of innovative financing instruments, and the strengthening of engagement with financial institutions and foreign investors. Its central objective was to diversify financing channels for production enterprises and to reinforce the foundations of sustainable investment.
-
Iran’s economy ministry seeks to ease hurdles for foreign investors
Iran’s economy ministry is stepping up efforts to attract foreign capital. At a meeting with more than 70 investors, Mehdi Heidari, acting head of the Organisation for Investment and Economic and Technical Assistance, announced that an international exchange will soon open in Kish Free Zone.
-
Iran’s Economy Ministry takes center stage at KishInvex2025
Iran’s Economy Ministry made a conspicuous appearance at the KishInvex2025 economic forum, underscoring the government’s ambition to attract foreign investment and expand international financing channels.
-
Iran’s customs chief says trade is getting easier
Faroud Asgari, Deputy Minister of Economy and head of Iran’s Customs Administration (IRICA), stated that the country’s foreign trade environment has improved markedly.
-
Iran's FTZs Shift Toward Digital Economy and Next‑Generation Development
At the opening of the“12th International Exhibition of Exchange, Banking, Insurance and Privatization” ('Kish Invex 2025'), Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade-Industrial and Special Economic Zones, Reza Masroor, highlighted the global economic transformations and stressed the need to reassess financial policies and risks.
-
Foreign Investors’ Currency Now Tradable in Iran’s “Second Hall” of the Exchange Center
Foreign investors can now trade their currencies directly within Iran’s “Second Hall” at the Currency and Gold Exchange Center, marking a significant step in opening the country’s financial markets to international capital. Approved by the Central Bank and supervised by the Organization for Investment, Economic, and Technical Assistance, this move aims to streamline foreign investment procedures and foster greater liquidity.
-
Iran Approves Gold Bars as a Recognized Form of Foreign Investment
According to the decision, investors may import standard gold bars through official customs channels, declare them, and then sell them at Iran’s Currency and Gold Exchange Center or the Iran Mercantile Exchange.
-
Iran’s Trade with ECO Nations Surges to $27 Billion as Tehran Hosts Ministerial Summit
Iran’s trade balance with member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has reached $27 billion, up from $10 billion just six years ago, according to Hossein Kashiri, Director General of Loans, Assemblies, and International Institutions at Iran’s Organization for Investment and Economic and Technical Assistance.
-
Iran Prepares Digital Investment Platform to Boost Capital Flows
Iran is set to launch a national investment data platform by year-end, in a move aimed at consolidating opportunities and improving transparency for domestic and foreign investors. The announcement was made by Mehdi Heidari, the head of the Organisation for Investment and Economic and Technical Assistance, during a provincial diplomacy conference in Mashhad.
-
Iran Approves 53 New Foreign Investment Projects Worth $262M Across Key Sectors
Iran has approved 53 new foreign investment projects worth $262 million. The decision was made during the 298th meeting of the Foreign Investment Board, led by Dr. Heydari, head of Iran’s Organization for Investment and Economic and Technical Assistance.
-
Tajikistan Int'l Investment Forum Held with Participation of Iranian Delegation
The Tajikistan International Investment Forum is being held with the participation of an Iranian delegation led by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, creating new opportunities to expand economic relations between the two countries.
-
Iran Proposes BRICS Financial Free Zone to Reshape South-South Economic Integration
At the 11th World Free Zones Congress, held in Haikou, China, Iran unveiled an ambitious proposal to establish a joint financial free zone for BRICS nations, positioning itself as a strategic gateway for South-South cooperation. Reza Masrour, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, outlined the plan during a dedicated BRICS session, calling for a shift from commodity trade to collaborative production and integrated value chains.
-
Iran Eyes Deeper Global Integration Through Coop Through FTZs
At the 11th World Free Zones Congress held in Haikou, China, Iran signaled its intent to expand international cooperation through its network of free trade zones. Reza Masrour, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, announced a series of “constructive and effective” bilateral meetings with counterparts from Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Jamaica, and several other nations.
-
Iran Approves $666 Million in Foreign Investment Proposals
In its seventh session of the year, Iran’s Foreign Investment Board, chaired by Mr. Heydari, the Head of the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran, convened with representatives from key government bodies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank, the Planning and Budget Organization, Iran Chamber of Commerce, the Cooperative Chamber, and relevant ministries such as Agriculture Jihad and Industry, Mine and Trade.
-
Deputy Minister of Economy: Iran’s Mining Sector Poised for Foreign Investment
The Deputy Minister and Head of Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran, Mehdi Heidari, stated that Iran’s mining sector meets two key criteria for foreign investment: profitability and foreign exchange generation.
-
Customs Chiefs from Iran’s Bazargan and Türkiye’s Gürbulaq Convene to Strengthen Border Trade
Senior customs officials from Iran’s Bazargan and Türkiye’s Gürbulaq (Gürbulak) met to address cross-border operational challenges and advance bilateral trade facilitation.
-
Iran, Qatar tend to facilitate trade ties
According to SHADA (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance's news agency), Saad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al Shariff, the Ambassador of Qatar in Tehran, met today with Frouod Asgari, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), to discuss the development of commercial and customs exchanges between Iran and Qatar.
-
Iran’s Foreign Trade Reaches $54 Billion
Iran’s foreign trade volume reached $54.3 billion in the first half of the current Iranian year, according to Faroud Asgari, head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) and deputy economy minister.