Mohammadreza Qaderi, the event’s executive director, said the exhibition is in line with Iran’s Seventh National Development Plan, which aims to invest at least $200 billion (evenly distributed between domestic and international sources) over the five years of the program.
He said the first event last year attracted delegations from 30 countries, including ambassadors and commercial attachés, and 156 foreign companies participated in 90 exhibition booths and pavilions.
“This year’s expo is being held with support from the government and in cooperation with international organizations such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ECO,” Kaderi said.
He added that a $500 million investment memorandum was signed in the wake of last year’s Kish Expo, of which $100 million has already been signed.
Despite continued sanctions, Iran saw a 70% increase in foreign investment licenses approved in the first five months of this year, reaching $900 million compared to $1.2 billion for all of last year. “We expect this number to reach $2 billion by the end of this year,” he said.
Qaderi also compared Iran’s investment prospects with China, noting that China attracts about $110 billion in foreign investment annually, while investing about $90 billion abroad, with total annual cross-border investment activity reaching about $200 billion.
He confirmed that Kish Expo 2025 will be held on Kish Island from December 9th to 14th (Azar 18th to 23rd) and will serve as a regional hub to promote trade, tourism and sustainable investment partnerships.
MNA/TT