Azerbaijan, Iran expand free trade relations

Azerbaijani citizens are permitted to work in Iran’s Araz free trade and industrial area, area’s Deputy Chairman Farrukh Masjidi told Trend Agency on November 12.

“There are no obstacles for Azerbaijanis to work in the Araz free trade and industrial area,” he noted.

Masjidi said job opportunities have been created in the area for the Azerbaijani citizens living in the regions bordering with Julfa, Bilasuvar Parsabad and Aslanduz regions of Iran.

Azerbaijan’s border regions with Iran are Bilasuvar and Fizuli districts, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Masjidi went on adding that the citizens are granted a license to work, and after crossing the border they can stay in Iran for a long time.

“The 15-day stay limitation after crossing the border does not apply to the area’s employees,” he said.

The Araz free trade and industrial area was established nine years ago. The enterprises in this area are exempt from taxes and other fees for 20 years. This also applies to foreign entrepreneurs.

The Araz economic area is located in an area of 53,000 hectares. Its territory starts near the town of Julfa and extends to Khudaferin, Janaunlu and Gulubeyli.

The area’s territory in Julfa is 21,000 hectares, and its greatest part, i.e. 33,000 hectares account for the Gulubeyli-Khudaferin region.

Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

Recently, the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, two neighboring countries with a long history of bilateral ties and cooperation, have risen to a higher level.

Tehran has in recent years focused seriously on development of ties with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan which enjoys various commonalties with Iran in religious, historical and cultural fields.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran stood at $144.045 million in January-September 2014, according to the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan.

In the past nine months, goods worth $115.6 million were imported to Azerbaijan, and the goods exported by the country amounted to $28.45 million.