Iran is creating a free trade zone on the Persian Gulf that it hopes to market to shrimp aquaculture entrepreneurs.
Behnam Arvin, a sales executive from the commercial port of Bandar Abbas – which is also Iran’s main seaport – told SeafoodSource the zone creators are promising shrimp farmers an annual return of USD 2 million (EUR 1.8 million) on every investment of USD 3 million (EUR 2.7 million).
“The shrimp of Iran is unique due to the amount of length of shoreline and the access to the Persian Gulf's pristine beaches and the excellent land on the shores of the Makran,” Behnam said. The Makran is the coastal region running along Iran’s southern shoreline.
The proposal could prove interesting to Iran’s key trading partner, China, which is building and financing several projects in the country while also importing large amounts of Iranian oil. However, many Chinese firms have retreated since the U.S. withdrew last year from an international treaty signed with Iran on its nuclear ambitions. The resulting sanctions imposed by Washington have also frightened off European investors worried about being targeted by the U.S. for breaking sanctions, despite European Union assurances.
