07 September 2011
Regional countries, especially Oman, have shown keen interest in the transit of goods via Chabahar Free Trade Zone in Sistan-Baluchestan province, said deputy foreign minister for economic affairs during a visit to Chabahar's Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari ports.
Gholam Reza Ansari underlined the city's distinct geographical location and said the government's special attention to the region provided a suitable opportunity for upgrading the port's role in the transit of commodities from the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea to Central Asian countries, IRNA reported.
"While effective steps have been taken to develop Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari ports and increase the activities Ports and Maritime Organization in the region, huge capacity still remained untapped," he said.
Noting that Chabahar is a gateway for the import of commodities by Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, he hoped the development plans for the region will be implemented in near future.
Ansari said that the outcome of implementing phase 1 of Chabahar development plan would be very decisive in determining the port's role in the national economy.
The official said that related officials should make extensive efforts to expedite the construction of Chabahar-Zahedan Railroad.
Meanwhile, managing director of Sistan-Baluchestan's Ports and Maritime Department, Siavash Rezvani said that container transport of goods via Chabahar rose significantly in the current year.
He noted that Chabahar, which is located away from the strategic Straits of Hormuz, is Iran's only deep water port with access to the open sea.
Regional countries, especially Oman, have shown keen interest in the transit of goods via Chabahar Free Trade Zone in Sistan-Baluchestan province, said deputy foreign minister for economic affairs during a visit to Chabahar's Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari ports.
Gholam Reza Ansari underlined the city's distinct geographical location and said the government's special attention to the region provided a suitable opportunity for upgrading the port's role in the transit of commodities from the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea to Central Asian countries, IRNA reported.
"While effective steps have been taken to develop Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari ports and increase the activities Ports and Maritime Organization in the region, huge capacity still remained untapped," he said.
Noting that Chabahar is a gateway for the import of commodities by Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, he hoped the development plans for the region will be implemented in near future.
Ansari said that the outcome of implementing phase 1 of Chabahar development plan would be very decisive in determining the port's role in the national economy.
The official said that related officials should make extensive efforts to expedite the construction of Chabahar-Zahedan Railroad.
Meanwhile, managing director of Sistan-Baluchestan's Ports and Maritime Department, Siavash Rezvani said that container transport of goods via Chabahar rose significantly in the current year.
He noted that Chabahar, which is located away from the strategic Straits of Hormuz, is Iran's only deep water port with access to the open sea.
© Iran Daily 2011
