Iran envoy: Bilasuvar border checkpoint to work around the clock
The Bilasuvar border checkpoint will operate around the clock, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pakayin has said, according to the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan.
Pakayin said the town of Bileh Savar in Iran and the border checkpoint will turn into a free economic zone.
"Bileh Savar will become a part of the Araz Free Economic Zone," he said. "An agreement has already been reached with the management of the Free Economic Zone."
After Bileh Savar turns into a free economic zone, the operational period of the border checkpoint will increase and it will operate around the clock, he said.
Pakayin also stressed that the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan are developing.
"Some individuals are trying to harm the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. However, the relations between the two countries are based on deep cultural roots and continue developing," the ambassador said.
The Araz Free Economic Zone, established nine years ago in Julfa
on the border between Iran and Azerbaijan, covers 53,000 hectares.
The zone starts from the town of Julfa and runs through the
villages of Khudaferin, Jananlu and Gulubeyli. The biggest part of
the zone, covering 33,000 hectares, is located in the
Gulubeyli-Khudaf
Companies operating in the Araz Free Economic Zone are exempt from taxes and duties for 20 years. The concessions also apply to foreign businessmen. Some Azerbaijani entrepreneurs have invested in the free economic zone's enterprises.
The procedures for rendering services to passengers and businessmen will be simplified. The potential for economic and trade activity will be expanded in Bilasuvar.
Iran unilaterally abolished the visa regime for Azerbaijani citizens from February 1, 2010.