“The Need to Change the Managerial Approach in Favor of Qeshm Investors

“The Need to Change the Managerial Approach in Favor of Qeshm Investors
Dr. Reza Masrour, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, in a cordial meeting with economic actors and investors—attended by the Chairman of the Board and the CEO of the Qeshm Free Zone Organization—reviewed existing challenges and emphasized the necessity of reforming processes and providing firm support for wealth creators in the region. During the meeting, economic stakeholders also expressed their concerns regarding taxation, customs, and infrastructure, and Dr. Masrour promised to pursue their demands individually through the relevant legal authorities.
According to the Qeshm Free Zone Media Center, Masrour referred to economic imbalances and challenges arising from currency and subsidy issues, stating that some of these problems stem from past decisions. He noted that under the 14th administration, these issues are now being reviewed with an expert-driven approach and precise decisions are being made. “Our objective is to ensure the proper transfer of the control and oversight chain, minimize negative impacts on production, and, in the long term, implement successful global models,” he said: Reforming Managerial Thinking : The Key to Solving Problems Emphasizing that many economic bottlenecks can be resolved by changing managers’ perspectives, the Secretary stated: “I believe that beyond legal reforms, it is the mindset and approach of managers that must be corrected.
Our view of investors should be that of strategic partners who create wealth, generate employment, and bring foreign exchange to the country. Any narrow-mindedness in free zones is meaningless, and we must create conditions in which economic actors can confidently pursue profitability and expand their activities.”
Call to Attract Investment from Iranians AbroadIn another part of his remarks, Dr. Masrour called on the economic actors present to participate in attracting foreign investment, noting that many capable Iranians in neighboring countries—including the United Arab Emirates—have made substantial investments. “It is the responsibility of the Free Zone Organization and the new CEO to engage directly and create secure and attractive platforms to encourage these compatriots, who care deeply about their homeland, to invest in Qeshm,” he said: He added that economic actors in Qeshm are also expected to act as ambassadors for the region by identifying and inviting individuals who are interested in the country and have the capacity to invest. “We are fully committed to supporting the entry of new capital into the island,” he emphasized.
Promise of a Bright Era for QeshmExpressing optimism about Qeshm’s managerial future, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones stated: “Despite the current special conditions, I am confident that this period will pass. With empathy, cooperation, and continuous follow-up, the new era of management in Qeshm will become one of the brightest periods in the region’s history.”
Pursuing the Removal of Value-Added Tax Through Parliament In response to concerns raised by economic actors regarding value-added tax (VAT), Dr. Masrour clarified: “The implementation of this law is not within the government’s authority; it is a parliamentary mandate. Nevertheless, we have drafted an amendment bill with a positive outlook, which is now proceeding through the legal process. We hope that by raising this issue in Parliament for the coming year, VAT will be removed from free zones and their competitive advantage will be restored.” Facilitating the Import of Raw Materials for Production UnitsReferring to the difficulties producers face in importing raw materials, Masrour stated: “It makes no sense for an economic actor in a free zone to be entangled in provincial or other bureaucracies to secure production inputs. We are pursuing a ‘green corridor’ customs agreement for production units so that raw materials can enter the zone without unnecessary formalities. The legal authorities of free zones must
be fully exercised so that producers have no concern other than production.”
New Customs Facilities and Vehicle Circulation Highlighting positive interactions with the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, Masrour said that recent meetings with the Customs Director General resulted in important agreements, including extending the permitted circulation of free-zone vehicles on the mainland from one month to three months and eliminating overlapping inspections of passenger goods. “A dedicated meeting will soon be held to review Qeshm-specific customs challenges and remove remaining obstacles,” he added. Regarding the long-standing demand of island residents for Qeshm-plated vehicles to circulate within Hormozgan Province, he announced: “Although legal objections had been raised along the way, through follow-up efforts and coordination with the respected Governor and by leveraging the capacities of the Provincial Security Council, we anticipate that the issue of vehicle circulation within the province will be resolved within the next month.”
Following Up on Converting Free Zone License Plates to National Plates Dr. Masrour also addressed the process of converting free-zone vehicle license plates to national plates, stating that this issue had remained unresolved for years. Through continuous follow-up and correspondence with the Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade and the Trade Development Organization, the administrative obstacles are now being addressed. Although the relevant system is under the authority of the Ministry of Industry, assurances have been given that simplifying the data registration process will resolve applicants’ problems.
Drafting a Support Package for Economic Actors Referring to the country’s economic conditions and the need to support the private sector, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones noted: “In times of recession, our duty is to provide support, not to impose additional pressure. I expect the new CEO of the Qeshm Free Zone Organization to design a special support package for economic actors so that, in addition to creating motivation, the costs of productive and commercial activities on the island are reduced.”
Eliminating Administrative Bureaucracy and Parallel Permits Criticizing the existence of certain duplicate administrative processes in Qeshm compared to other free zones, Dr. Masrour stated: “It is unacceptable for an economic actor in Qeshm to be required to obtain permits from two entities—the Free Zone Organization and provincial authorities. This challenge, which is specific to Qeshm, must be resolved swiftly. Administrative bureaucracy must be transparent and streamlined so that investors face minimal obstacles.”
Reforming Land Allocation and Supporting the Fisheries Sector The Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones criticized short-term land lease contracts for production units, stating: “One-year lease agreements are not justifiable for long-term economic activities. This matter falls within the authority of the Organization’s Board of Directors and must be reformed in a way that ensures investors’ peace of mind.” He also pointed to the export potential of the fisheries sector, adding that 70 percent of the sector’s capacity should be devoted to export development and foreign exchange earnings. Regarding the establishment of new industrial towns, he stressed that thorough studies must be conducted to prevent any conflicts and to ensure that infrastructure is delivered to producers without deficiencies.
A Message of Hope and Steadfastness on the Production Front In closing, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones invited investors to continue their activities with a hopeful spirit, stating: “We are all in the same boat, and despite all hardships, we must not allow despair to prevail. My presence, along with that of new managers in the regions, is to listen directly to problems and to make sincere efforts to resolve them.
  Operation of 10 Kilometers of Section 4 of the Persian Gulf Highway in the Qeshm Free Zone

News ID: 17912
27 January 2026
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Operation of 10 Kilometers of Section 4 of the Persian Gulf Highway in the Qeshm Free Zone

Operation of 10 Kilometers of Section 4 of the Persian Gulf Highway in the Qeshm Free Zone

“The Need to Change the Managerial Approach in Favor of Qeshm Investors

“The Need to Change the Managerial Approach in Favor of Qeshm Investors

Qeshm Free Zone CEO emphasizes effort, service, and process improvement

Qeshm Free Zone CEO emphasizes effort, service, and process improvement

Be Our Guest in Qeshm! 

Be Our Guest in Qeshm!