Nayereh Mazhar told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday that seven foreign investment projects with a combined value of $40.754 million had been approved in Qom during the first five months of 1405 (March 21–August 22, 2026). The corresponding figure for the same period of the previous Iranian calendar year was $19.850 million.
The increase came despite a decline in the number of approved projects, which fell from 9 in the first 5 months of 1404 (March 21–August 22, 2025) to 7 in the same period of 1405. The sharp increase in total investment value therefore reflects a substantial rise in the average size of approved projects.

Mazhar also said that nine investment projects worth $5.445 million had been attracted to the province during the first five months of 1405, compared with $4.980 million across eight projects during the corresponding period of 1404.

The number of projects actually attracted increased by 12.5% year on year, while the value of realized investment also recorded growth.

The investments cover a range of economic activities, including vehicles and logistics, motorcycle manufacturing, plastic hose production, cosmetics and personal-care products, solar power generation, paper manufacturing, compounds and granules, as well as sports and industrial equipment.

According to Mazhar, some of the projects were financed by investors from China, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Thailand, while others involved Iranians living abroad.
She said the participation of foreign investors and the Iranian diaspora highlighted Qom’s potential to attract external capital and benefit from the financial resources, expertise and experience of Iranians residing overseas.

Mazhar said Qom’s Investment Services Center was working to streamline the investment process, attract and support investors, and coordinate with provincial government agencies to facilitate the implementation of investment projects.
The center provides investors with information and advisory services and helps coordinate the process of obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from relevant government bodies, she added.

Mazhar said the 105.3% increase in the value of approved foreign investment, alongside growth in both the value and number of projects actually attracted, demonstrated Qom’s capacity to expand foreign investment.

She stressed, however, that the province’s investment strategy was not focused solely on increasing headline investment figures. Instead, authorities were seeking to channel capital toward productive, employment-generating, technology-oriented and export-oriented activities.

The Investment Services Center, she said, serves as a facilitator and coordinator between investors and provincial government agencies, helping direct capital toward sectors with greater potential for sustainable economic growth, job creation and export development.