SEZ marks new phase of development, investment, transformation

A new phase of management began in the Sarakhs Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as senior officials outlined priorities focused on national development, local empowerment and economic transformation. 
In a ceremony, held on the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), the Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, the Governor of Khorasan Razavi Province and the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones met and discussed issues.
Speaking in the event, Ayat. Ahmad Marvi, the Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, stressed: “Economic activity must remain aligned with ethical principles”. 
“Imam Reza Shrine does not pursue profit‑seeking for its own sake and considers ignoring values in favor of financial gain contrary to religious teachings”, he said. 
Ayat. Marvi emphasized that development in SEZ must primarily benefit its local population and that maximum use of local labor should be prioritized. 
He also highlighted the long‑standing efforts that led to the establishment of the free zone and described public service as a divine trust requiring responsibility, sincerity and accountability.
The new managing director of SEZ, Rasoul Raeis‑Jafari, described the zone as an overlooked national asset with strategic economic, political and geopolitical importance. 
He said: “The region’s value increases as maritime sanctions intensify, making SEZ a critical gateway for national resilience”. 
He pledged that all actions in the zone would be based on national interests, sustainable employment and productive investment, with strong participation from the private sector. 
The director also warned against two strategic errors: neglecting governmental responsibilities and interfering in areas where the private sector can operate effectively.
Also speaking in the meeting, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Madanizadeh said investment in Sarakhs must directly improve local livelihoods. 
“Revenues generated in the zone should first support development, employment and living standards in SEZ before contributing to provincial and national growth”, he noted. 
The minister highlighted the zone’s potential for job creation, production expansion and regional economic diplomacy, and announced a new coordinated border-management model led by the Customs Organization to streamline trade and transit.
Elsewhere, Khorasan Razavi Governor Gholamhossein Mozaffari described SEZ as a decisive economic corridor at the intersection of east–west and north–south routes. 
According to him, “Effective planning can enable the region to play a key role in national trade”. 
At the end of the session, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Zones, Reza Masroor, noted that SEZ holds significant promise for national economic recovery and must adopt an export‑oriented approach aligned with international trade routes.