Iran started to experiment with free trade zones in the early 1990s. As per Article 19 of the First Five-Year Economic Development Plan (1991-96), Iran’s first three FTZs were established.
Since then, the total number of such zones has grown to seven, namely Kish, Qeshm, Chabahar, Aras, Anzali, Arvand and Maku.
About $1.4 billion worth of commodities were imported into Iranian free trade zones in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2017). Exports from these zones stood at $813 million during the period, Financial Tribune reported.