Reza Masroor, the Secretary of Iran’s High Council of Free Trade and Special Economic Zones, raised the proposal in a meeting with ambassadors of CIS member countries.

According to Shada, Masroor highlighted the extensive capacities of Iran’s free trade zones in trade, industry, transit, and investment, stating that forming such a council, along with holding regular, goal‑oriented meetings, could provide a solid platform for enhancing cooperation, facilitating commercial exchanges, and strengthening economic ties between Iran’s free zones and CIS countries.

Emphasizing the role of FTZs in expanding international financial and banking relations, Masroor stated that Iran’s FTZs possess the legal and infrastructural capabilities required for foreign banks to operate, enabling them to serve as effective hubs for regional financial interactions.

He also announced that Russian banks will soon begin operations in the Anzali FTZ, describing the move as a significant step toward streamlining financial and banking processes, boosting trade exchanges, and deepening economic cooperation between Iran and CIS member states.