In an interview with ISNA after a recent cabinet meeting, Salehi-Amiri explained that the main challenge in introducing the “tourist card” system was determining the exchange rate. After coordination with the Central Bank of Iran, it was agreed that interest rates would be set daily by mutual agreement.
He noted that although the rates are slightly lower than the open market, the card significantly increases safety for tourists as they no longer need to carry large amounts of cash.
He said the program is currently operating at Iran’s international airports and plans to expand to land border crossings in the near future.
The central bank announced on November 5 that it will begin a pilot phase of a “tourist card” at international airports that will allow foreign visitors and non-residents of Iran to purchase official currency.
MNA/