Deputy Governor of the Krasnodar Region Alexander Ruppel meets with a delegation from Iran

An official delegation from Hormozgan Province and Qeshm City paid a visit to Kuban. The meeting was held as part of the 32nd YUGAGRO-2025 International Agricultural Exhibition.

«The Krasnodar Region places a high priority on developing international relations. We see Iran's interest in joint projects in sectors that are key for both territories. We are prepared to broaden the scope of our dialogue, establish new economic and cultural connections, and take practical actions to advance our cooperation. We have discussed the possibility of establishing direct air links between the Krasnodar Region and Iran. This would have a substantial positive impact on our economic and humanitarian relations,» said Alexander Ruppel.

The parties discussed promising areas for interregional cooperation and the expansion of business contacts. The participants of the meeting expressed interest in exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in agriculture, oil refining, education, culture, and sports.

The first interaction between the Krasnodar Region and the Qeshm Free Economic Zone took place in 2023, during a visit by a delegation from Kuban to Iran. In the summer of 2024, representatives of Qeshm paid the Krasnodar Region a return visit, during which a memorandum of cooperation was signed between Krasnodar and Qeshm City. Presently, the parties are engaged in efforts to expand cooperation at the intermunicipal level.

***

Qeshm is one of 15 free trade zones in Iran, established in 1990 on the island of the same name in the Persian Gulf. It is an energy cluster with a developed infrastructure for bunkering ships and selling petroleum products. Customs privileges allow for the free import, storage, and sale of imported products within the free economic zone. Other advantages include absence of duties on raw materials and equipment used in production, low rates, and streamlined re-export processes. Residents are entitled to tax, financial, and administrative privileges.