IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said that providing recreation and tourism facilities at free trade zones is a must and Halal tourism in the Islamic Republic of Iran can turn into a global brand.

Halal tourism is a subcategory of tourism which is geared towards Muslim families who abide by rules of Islam. The hotels in such destinations do not serve alcohol and have separate swimming pools and spa facilities for men and women.

President Rouhani made the remarks on Thursday eveningin a meeting with the officials at Anzali Free Trade and Industrial Zone.

Free trade and industrial zones should regard production and creation of job opportunities as the main goal of their activities this year, he said.

The government aims to turn FTZs to an export hub instead of a center for imports of luxury products, the president said.

Shipping lines play a very strategic role in connecting the country’s free trade zones in the south to free waters which is vital for promotion of economic and industrial zones in the south, he said.

Iran’s shores should be regarded as God-given blessings, he said.

The role of FTZs is promotion of economic diplomacy, politics and commerce with the neighboring states, President Rouhani said.

Investment inside and outside such zones, expansion of scientific relations and attracting tourists should be regarded as the main characteristics of the FTZs, he said.

Unity among religions in the country’s FTZs should be also heeded, underlined President Rouhani.

On implementation of the nuclear deal often called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he said JCPOA was a historic event and the Iranian government could successfully negotiate with six world powers and take its legitimate rights which should be regarded as a very significant task.

The best experts inside the country believed that lifting UN resolutions against Iran was unlikely, but our red line was termination of these resolutions and Iran was quite successful in attaining her goals, the president said.

Putting an end to possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran's civil nuclear program, under mounting pressure and sanctions was another significant job at national level, he said.

JCPOA removed the shadow of war and threat as well as oppressive sanctions on the country and improved the atmosphere for a much better interaction with the world which should be used in promoting the country’s FTZs, President Rouhani concluded.