Examining the economic expansion of creating free-trade zones across coastal areas for the sustainable development of Mokran Coasts: A case study: Jaask zone

Abstract

Abstract. The geographical location of a country can bring about numerous effects on is national power and political behavior. Perceiving the geographical location of different regions of a country can produce direct effects on its benefits. While having superb economic, security and geopolitical capacities as well as regional and international access and contacts, the southern coastal areas of Iran enjoy great power-producing functions which have been neglected so far. Furthermore, these areas are amongst the most underdeveloped in the country economically, socially and environmentally despite having the abovementioned potentials. The future development of the country is contingent upon planning efficient policies and use of potentials of this area by virtue of the geographical and coastal location of Oman Sea. Hence, one of the appropriate means for attracting foreign investment is creating free trade-industrial zones. According to the law pertaining to the first plan of economical, social and cultural expansion, the government is allowed to develop industries and transfer technology through creating free trade and industrial zones in order to expand the country's exports. The pivotal role of Iranian ports of Oman Sea, especially Jaask Port, as the entrance gates for the development of North-South Corridor in developing marine transportation and transit has been highlighted repeatedly by the authorities of Seafaring and Ports Organization. However, sufficient measures have not been taken yet for significant investment in the area and port of Jaask and the issue has remained unexamined. Nevertheless, the aim of this research is examining the economic potentiality of creating free trade zone for the sustainable development of Jaask area and more broadly the coastal areas of Mokran. Moreover, the present research is of a descriptive-analytic type which was carried out through using library sources, documents, gathered data and also the GIS software for drawing maps. The data was analyzed by qualitative-inferential method and the results of this research will be presented to authorities for decision making and adopting policies.