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There are 20 regions, designated as
Special Economic Zones (SEZ), whose legal status is, in some
aspects, the same as Free Trade-Industrial Zones and in some
aspects the same as the mainland. Each SEZ is governed by its
relevant organization/authority.
For a
comparison between the legal status of the Special Economic
Zones and Free Trade-Industrial Zones
click here.
As a brief overview on the SEZ’s legal
regime, the followings could be of some interests:
Foreign investment
Foreign investment in SEZ is accepted
and protected and is subject to the “Law on the Attraction and
Protection of Foreign Investment”. The ratio of foreign
capital investment in SEZ is up to 100% of shareholding.
Import
& Export
1-
Import
of goods from abroad is free from all kinds of taxes and
duties, but local levies
and fees are collected
according to the services rendered by the executive
departments. However, import of the goods from abroad to the
mainland is subject to the general import-export law and
regulations in the mainland.
2-
Re-export abroad, of imported goods to the zone, is Free from
all kinds of taxes and duties.
3-
Goods,
semi finished parts, raw materials from mainland to the Zone,
if exported, are subject to General Exports –imports
regulations in the mainland.
4-
Import
of goods made in the Zone, to the mainland is permitted to the
extent of value added caused by utilization of domestic
production factors.
5-
Unloading, loading, transit and Transshipment of merchandises
abroad is free from all kinds of taxes and duties (only
warehousing and local charges shall be collected).
Intellectual Property & Company Registration
Intellectual Property and company
registration in SEZ is subject to general law and regulations
enforced in the mainland.
Land & Real Estate
Sale
and/or lease of land to the Iranians is permitted, but only
lease is permitted to the foreigners.
Lands in SEZ are leased and sold by each Zone’s
authority/organization that determines relevant requirements
and prerequisites.
Banking
As regards banking, SEZs are subject to
general law and regulations of the mainland. Particularly,
offshore banking is not permitted in SEZ, and only domestic
banking by private/state banks is permitted. Exchange rate is subject
to the domestic banking exchange rates.
Visa & residence
In order to enter into the SEZs, prior
entry visa is required. Applications shall be accepted,
confirmed, and passed to the Foreign Ministry. In other words,
SEZs are subject to the general rules and regulations of the
mainland with respect to visa and residence.
Social security, Labor & Employment
Social security and Labor Law of the
mainland governs the social security and labor relations in
SEZs. Therefore, recruitment of foreign workforce is
restricted and subject to the “Aliens Employment Regulations”
enforced in the mainland.
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