Hossein Forouzan, an adviser to the president and secretary of the High Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, made the remarks on Wednesday at a ceremony marking the launch of construction on four infrastructure and development projects on the southern Iranian island.
According to Shada, Forouzan described Hormozgan Province and its islands as valuable national assets, saying their natural and economic potential should be harnessed to meet local needs, improve living standards and promote regional development.
He emphasized that land is the principal asset of free zones and should not be sold indiscriminately. Instead, land allocations should be based on clearly defined investment plans and made through medium- and long-term agreements that encourage productive activity and generate sustainable wealth.
Referring to the Jebel Ali model in the United Arab Emirates, Forouzan said land could be made available to investors through time-bound contracts rather than outright sales. He also stressed that transparent procedures in land allocation and investment are essential to sustainable development, warning that corruption undermines economic growth.
The official pointed to Qeshm’s energy potential and plans to establish the Salakh Petrochemical Special Economic Zone, saying the island needs reliable water and electricity supplies, adequate road access and supporting infrastructure to attract industrial investment. Industrial estates, he noted, cannot meet investors’ needs without dependable access to essential utilities and transport networks.
Forouzan said proposals from several countries to invest in Iran in the post-war period had been submitted to the president. He urged free zones to prepare the necessary infrastructure in advance so they would be ready to attract investment when conditions allow.
He also underscored the importance of clear project schedules, continuous supervision and accountability in carrying out the four development projects, calling for sustained efforts to ensure their timely completion.