On December 14, 2022, a delegation of the Sarakhs Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Iran, headed by Mohammad Reza Kalaee and accompanied by Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, called on the Secretary General Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Ambassador Khusrav Noziri.
The purpose of visit was to highlight the role of SEZ in the economic and trade sector, as well as explore the possibility of ECO-SEZ cooperation for the promotion and acceleration of the relevant activities in the region. The visiting delegates emphasized the need for bolstering regional connectivity, focusing on the multimodal transport and transit routes for enhancing intra-regional and inter-regional linkage of the ECO, including with China, Russia, CIS Region, Europe and the Persian Gulf.
Ambassador Noziri briefed the SEZ’s delegation on various ECO programs and initiatives activated for encouraging, supporting and boosting regional trade and connectivity. The ECO Secretary General also enlightened the visiting guests about the ECO Enlargement that took place thirty years ago, adding that the recent celebration of the 30th Anniversary of expanded cooperation in the ECO was graced by honorable Foreign Minister of Iran H.E Mr. Amir Hossein Abdollahian. Moreover, the ceremony was attended by a larger number of participants, including the Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives of the ECO countries, diplomats, local dignitaries, etc., he mentioned. The ECO Secretary General noted that the dedication of the Member States towards strengthening the Organization is reflected in their strong commitments to support the process of greater economic integration in the region. He enunciated that the 26th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers (COM) to be held next month in Uzbekistan is set to adopt ,کTashkent Communiqué’ for renewing and refueling the spirit of collaboration among the member countries. In addition, the 33rd Meeting of the ECO Regional Planning Council (RPC) in January 2023 will finalize the ECO Work Plan and Calendar of Events for 2023 aimed at continued realization of the ECO aims and objectives.
The delegation invited the ECO Secretary General to participate in a ceremony to be hosted by SEZ on December 19, 2022 in Tehran. The two sides also exchanged the New Year’s greetings.
The Sarakhs SEZ with an area of 5,290 hectares and situated in the northeast of Iran rests at the geographical center of the ECO Region and ,کGolden Gate’ for entry into the Central Asia, China and Russia, connecting major trade markets in Central Asia, the Persian Gulf countries, Europe and Pakistan.
