Following Chinese, Turkish and Russian investments on Sarakhs Special Economic Zone in Khorasan Razavi Province, northeast Iran, to run projects such as Big Logistic Park, Coal and Potash Fertilizer Special Transfer Site, etc. an Emirati firm has inked a joint venture contract to establish a firm to run loading and unloading cargo, and inventory projects.

According to the Sarakhs Special Economic Zone’s chairman, “In the first phase, the Emirati firm has agreed to provide some logistical equipment such as winches and lift trucks”.

“In the second phase, measures will get underway for bulk packaging of products such as chemical fertilizers, coal, etc. for export to the Persian Gulf Arab states, India and Pakistan”, continued Mohammad Reza Barahmand.

He stated that the annual volume of cargo shipment from Sarakhs Special Economic Zone was some ۷۰۰ thousand tons, adding: “This number will increase four-fold and reach some 3 million tons annually”.

He further predicted that the first phase, which would be operationalized by the end of current Iranian year (20March), would create employment opportunities for some 200 people.

Barahmand concluded his remarks by pointing to the benefits of the new contract for the country such as faster loading, unloading and shipment of cargo, lower costs for the owners, etc.