TEHRAN — Deputy Minister of Tourism Aliasgar Sharbafyan announced that investors will be exempted from paying land use change fees.
He told IRNA on Friday at the Tourism Expert Committee of the Ardabil International Investment Conference that the new resolution would exempt tourism projects from the payment of a fee equal to 80% of the land’s original value, which was previously an obstacle to investment.
Explaining the government’s development policy in the tourism sector, he added that the campaign to avoid collecting construction permit fees for tourism-related projects has also been widely welcomed in 13 governorates and more than 40 cities, adding that Ardabil Governorate Sarain Governorate is a successful model and the initiator of this plan.
He cited the reduction of project start-up costs, including fees for engineering organizations, as other supportive policies promoted by the government, adding that tourism investment is a cross-cutting issue and the government fully supports private sector participation, environmental considerations and the implementation of sustainable tourism policies.
He mentioned the licensing of mixed tourism facilities as one of the important incentives in recent years, and said that a new model with the possibility of issuing separate licenses for the sale of tourism products had been approved by legislators.
Mr. Sharbafian said that 2,748 tourism projects are under construction across the country, adding that all job creation projects in handicrafts, ecotourism and tourism can be financed from various facilities.
He noted the important position of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage as the third agency in job creation and emphasized that over the past four years, the employment realization rate in the tourism sector has reached more than 90%.
Prime Minister Sharbafyan also announced that import duties on tourism goods would be waived.
He emphasized that supporting domestic production is respected, supporting investors supports Iran’s future, and supporting investments in Ardabil supports Ardabil’s future.
The conference was held from November 26 to 28 on the sidelines of Expo 2025 Ardabil and showcased the province’s capabilities in the presence of national and international economic delegations.
Currently, 1,415 industrial units employing more than 40,000 people are operating in different regions of Ardabil Governorate.
Ardabil is located on the plateau in northwestern Iran, borders the Republic of Azerbaijan, and borders Gilan, East Azarbaijan, and Zanjan provinces.
The 12-county state is known for its natural scenery, hospitality, and long-standing silk and carpet trade. Home to Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanega and the Shrine Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts many tourists, especially in the summer.
KD