Kermanshah – Monday, April 14, 2025 – ✍ According to the Public Relations Office of Shokri Industrial Group: In a cordial and substantive meeting held at the Kermanshah Governor’s Office, attended by Dr. Ghaempanah, Executive Vice President of the President, Dr. Atabak, Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, Dr. Habibi, Governor of Kermanshah, members of parliament, senior provincial officials, and a group of economic, industrial, trade, and agricultural stakeholders, the issues and challenges facing industry and production in Kermanshah Province were discussed.
In this meeting, MR.Jahanbakhsh Shokri, Chairman of the Board of Shokri Industrial Group and Head of the Kermanshah Province Chamber of Industry and Mine, welcomed the national guests and, representing the private sector with over seven decades of industrial experience, outlined the key demands and solutions for enhancing production and investment in the province.
Referring to the naming of the year 1404 by the Supreme Leader as the “Year of Investment for Production,” he emphasized the urgent need for the government to pay special attention to underdeveloped provinces with a history of structural damages—such as Kermanshah—and stated:
“Despite its vast human, agricultural, industrial, and geographical potential, Kermanshah Province—due to the lasting impacts of the imposed war, recurring earthquakes, international sanctions, and chronic economic imbalances—urgently requires special attention and immediate, practical government support.”
MR.Shokri urged financial system reforms, recommending that banks accept industrial projects as collateral instead of demanding unrelated guarantees—reducing financial pressure on investors and facilitating easier access to investment capital.
Referring to the performance of production units over the past year—operating at only 40% capacity due to electricity and gas outages—he called for taxes, insurance premiums, and loan repayments to be calculated based on the actual number of operational days.
Stressing the critical role of investment incentives in regional economic growth, the Chairman of Shokri Industrial Group proposed key measures to attract investors, including:
✓ Tax exemptions for new investors
✓ Waiver of the employer’s share in social security contributions
✓ Reduction or elimination of fees for converting land to industrial use
✓ Provision of low-interest loans with only a 10% equity contribution
He described these measures as effective steps toward realizing the goals of the year’s national slogan.
In another part of his remarks, Shokri referred to the challenges of repaying foreign currency loans from the National Development Fund and stated:
Shokri warned that many industrial units which had secured foreign currency loans at a rate of 3,000 tomans are now being asked to repay at rates above 80,000 tomans—a drastic and unsustainable shift that he described as unjust and tantamount to forcing manufacturers into bankruptcy.
He also called for the approval of the Qasr-e Shirin Free Trade Zone, emphasizing the need for its integration with the provincial capital. Referring to similar zones in the provinces of Gilan, Khuzestan, and Azerbaijan, he stated:
“The Qasr-e Shirin Free Trade Zone has the potential to create a major transformation in border trade, exports, and job creation for western Iran.”
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At the end, Engineer Shokri expressed his appreciation for the attention given by the esteemed Governor, deputies, and provincial officials to production-related matters, and emphasized:
“Producers in Kermanshah Province, as always, are ready to take serious steps alongside the esteemed government, especially during the tenure of Mr. Dr. Majlesi, who has a special focus on the production sector, towards development, job creation, and national productivity—provided that the obstacles before them are removed.”
In his meeting with economic activists and investors from Kermanshah Province, Dr. Ghaempanah, the Executive Vice President of the President, emphasized the implementation of key projects and infrastructural transformations in various sectors.
He emphasized the importance of enhancing transportation infrastructure and identified the completion of the Kermanshah to Khosravi railway and its connection to Baghdad as a top priority for the government.
In the industrial sector, the Executive Vice President of the President announced the follow-up on the completion of 150 semi-finished industrial projects in the province by next year, stating that these actions will play a significant role in job creation and boosting production.
He also emphasized the need for the construction of five-star hotels to boost the tourism industry and attract both domestic and international tourists. Additionally, he described the shift toward greenhouse farming as a smart solution to combat water scarcity.
The Executive Vice President of the President regarded the development of knowledge-based companies as the key to Kermanshah’s economic transformation and identified the Khosravi border as the focal point for expanding trade relations with Iraq.
In closing, he highlighted Kermanshah’s local resources and potential, expressing optimism that by harnessing these internal assets, the province will shape a prosperous and promising future.
Next, the Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, in a meeting with economic stakeholders in Kermanshah Province, announced the delegation of mining powers to provincial governors to revive inactive mines.
He emphasized the significant role of provincial management in the development of the mining sector, stating that by delegating the necessary powers to governors, including the Governor of Kermanshah, faster and more effective decision-making regarding inactive mines will be facilitated. This action could serve as a catalyst for returning mines to production and increasing the efficiency of the country’s mineral resources.
In another part of his remarks, the Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade announced the stability of land prices in the industrial parks of Kermanshah Province until the end of 1404, adding: “Supporting industrial investors and facilitating production conditions in the province are among the priorities of the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade.”
During his meeting with economic leaders and the Executive Vice President, Dr. Habibi, the Governor of Kermanshah, revealed key updates on investment opportunities and major economic projects in the province, signaling significant progress for local economic development.
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🔹 Investment Opportunities on the Ministry of Economy’s Platform: The Governor of Kermanshah announced the uploading of the province’s investment opportunities on the Ministry of Economy’s platform. This initiative will help facilitate investment attraction and enhance transparency in the process.
Qasr-e Shirin Free Trade Zone: One of the most significant economic opportunities in the province, the Qasr-e Shirin Free Trade Zone, was introduced as a golden opportunity for attracting both domestic and foreign investments.
Solar Power Plants: To achieve sustainable development goals and reduce energy costs, 5,000 hectares of land in the province have been identified for the construction of solar power plants.
Need for 60 Trillion Tomans to Revive Incomplete Industrial Units: The Governor of Kermanshah highlighted the large number of semi-finished industrial units in the province, stating that an investment of 60 trillion tomans is required to activate these units. These projects could lead to job creation and strengthen production in the province.
