Iran - منطقه آزاد انزلی
Anzali Free Zone Area [map] is the only free zone in the southern part of Caspian Sea. It represents the economic hub of Iran with a total area of 9400 hectares for future development. The zone has legal incentives and exemptions such as tax exemptions for 20 years, customs duties exemption. Anzali Free Zone Area is also strategically situated on International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This links India to European markets via Kazakhstan, Iran and Russia and could be a major trade route in the future.
The Anzali Free Trade-Industrial Zone is strategically divided into two key geographical sectors. The eastern sector, located near the Anzali Wetland, serves as a hub for port and customs operations, housing an industrial township and natural resource zones. In contrast, the western sector is dedicated to agriculture, with a focus on cucurbit cultivation and orchards, alongside tourism and recreational developments.
Future expansion plans
The zone’s port spans 2.68 hectares, featuring 10 mechanized wharves with a combined capacity of 50,000 tons. A major expansion is underway with the development of the Caspian Port as a third-generation facility. This project will introduce 22 berths with an impressive capacity of 11 million tons, solidifying Anzali’s role as a regional logistics powerhouse and accelerating growth in warehousing, distribution, and marine industries.
Anzali Free Trade Zone is a key player in logistics, high-tech industries, agricultural processing, and the production of medical and optical instruments. It encompasses three distinct areas, including the 946-hectare Hassanroud Industrial Park. Additionally, the zone features a residential, agricultural, and commercial sector, along with a dedicated harbor area for cargo handling.
Positioned as a gateway to European markets via Azerbaijan, Russia, and the Volga-Don Canal, Anzali is a vital trade corridor for Iran. Collectively, Iran’s free trade zones boast a bulk cargo capacity of 61 million tons, handling 1.4 million TEUs and accommodating up to 12 million passengers annually.
Additional Details for Anzali Free Zone Area
- Total area: Hassanroud Industrial park and surrounded area about 946 hectares
- Tax incentives: 1. The exemption from direct taxes for 20 years 2. Duty-free entry of machines to production line of the factory 3. The duty-free entry of raw materials for production
- Non-tax incentives: No need for entry visa for foreign nationals.
Economic and Geographic Advantages of Anzali Free Zone Area
- Existence of port installation, facilities and maritime transportation
- On the direction of north-south international corridor of Nostrac which is the 21th century transit corridor of Asia-Europe Connects Helsinki port (North Europe) via Russia to the north & south ports of the Caspian Sea, then trough Persian Gulf to the south-eastern countries of Asia.
- Easy access to north & south ports of Europe through Volga River & Volga-Den (bay).
- Adjacent to ports of Astrakhan & Lagan in Russia, Kerasnodesk in Turkmenistan, Aktau in Kazakhstan and Baku in Azerbaijan.
- Existence of access roads to the consumption markets of C.I.S countries.
- Adjacent to the Rasht international airport.
- International highway of Anzali – Rasht – Ghazvin.
- Existence of specialist work force.
- Adjacent to the vast gas & crude oil of the Caspian Sea.
- Ghazin – Anzali – Astara railroad.
- Proximity to Capital of Iran (Tehran about 360 km).
- Proximity to 5 power plans.
- Possession of main infrastructure.