Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Kish Free Trade Zone and Kurdistan sign MoU
Commerce, Kurdistan
(ZAWYA) - Kish Free Trade Zone and Iraqi Kurdistan on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to expand bilateral exchanges. Commerce Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Mohammad Raouf Mohammad told IRNA on the sidelines of the signing ceremony that the Kish Free Trade Zone has made great progress over the past year.
The Iraqi official added that the economic development and progress of the zone will help Iran join the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The trade and commercial activities of the Kish FTZ in the course of Iran's accession to the WTO is considered a good experience for other countries," he said.
Touching on the MoU between Kish FTZ and Kurdistan region of Iraq, he noted that the visit of the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad-Hossein Kazemi Qomi to Kurdistan region, and his eagerness to expand bilateral trade and commercial relations prepared the grounds for signing of the agreement. Pointing to the advantages of enhanced trade and tourism ties between the two sides, he said that establishment of an air link between Kish FTZ and Kurdistan region of Iraq is among the provisions of the MoU.
He underlined the need to provide businessmen of the two regions with the opportunity to expand trade relations, adding, "By forming a joint council composed of both sides' businessmen as per the MoU, we will witness a momentum in implementation of the agreement." Managing Director of the Kish FTZ Organization Majid Shayesteh and the commerce minister of Kurdistan region of Iraq signed the MoU.
The Iraqi official added that the economic development and progress of the zone will help Iran join the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The trade and commercial activities of the Kish FTZ in the course of Iran's accession to the WTO is considered a good experience for other countries," he said.
Touching on the MoU between Kish FTZ and Kurdistan region of Iraq, he noted that the visit of the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad-Hossein Kazemi Qomi to Kurdistan region, and his eagerness to expand bilateral trade and commercial relations prepared the grounds for signing of the agreement. Pointing to the advantages of enhanced trade and tourism ties between the two sides, he said that establishment of an air link between Kish FTZ and Kurdistan region of Iraq is among the provisions of the MoU.
He underlined the need to provide businessmen of the two regions with the opportunity to expand trade relations, adding, "By forming a joint council composed of both sides' businessmen as per the MoU, we will witness a momentum in implementation of the agreement." Managing Director of the Kish FTZ Organization Majid Shayesteh and the commerce minister of Kurdistan region of Iraq signed the MoU.
COMMENT: Kish is an Iranian island and city in the Persian Gulf, and is part of the Hormozgan province. Due to its status as a free trade zone, it is touted as a consumer's paradise, with numerous malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and resort hotels. It has an estimated population of 20,000 residents and about 1.5 million people visit the island annually. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Iran, Kish Free Trade Zone, Kurdistan, Mohammad Raouf Mohammad, MOU
