Maku – Food security is a central pillar of the Maku Free Trade and Industrial Zone's newly unveiled master plan, according to Hossein Garousi, the zone's managing director.

 

Speaking to the Ministry of Agriculture’s official website, Garousi stressed the need to complete the agricultural value chain "from farm to table."

 

He estimated that $1–1.3 billion in private-sector investment will be required for cold storage and processing facilities over the plan's 20-year horizon.

 

“Investors securing activity permits will enjoy 20‑year tax exemptions, with land already allocated for farming, livestock, and related industries. Current infrastructure includes 90,000 square meters of specialized warehouses, with a 5,000‑ton cold storage facility and additional sheds nearing completion.”

 

Garousi highlighted Maku's strategic position as the world's only fully rail‑based corridor linking east–west and north-south routes.

 

Beyond food security, the master plan also prioritizes logistics, transit infrastructure, industry, and tourism development.