Speaking on Saturday at an online ceremony marking the inauguration of development, investment, and tourism projects in Iran’s free trade and industrial zones, Pezeshkian said, “Without proper and precise planning, development and progress will not be realized, and we will fall behind the developed world.”

He urged managers of free trade zones and provincial governors to prioritize the use of advanced technologies, deeper foresight, and modern strategic governance structures in developing their regions.

“If we do not have a strategic plan and do not view the future in a scientific and expert-based manner, while competing with other free zones in the region and the world, we will ultimately fall behind the developed world,” the president stressed.

Pezeshkian added that officials must build a path that provides durability, competitiveness, and quality for the people of Iran to compete at the regional and global levels.

He also said environmental protection, along with the use of solar and clean energy, must be a priority in the development of free trade zones so that a healthy environment is created.