Economic Geography Research

Economic Geography Research

Economic Convergence Through Nearshoring Strategy( Case Study: Aras Free Zone)

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 shahid Beheshti university
2 "Political Geography Group, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran"
Abstract
In recent years, the world's inclination towards free trade has increased. Multinational companies, in pursuit of economic cost-benefit under trade strategies, have expanded their supply chains across the globe. One of these strategies is nearshoring, which has gained the attention of investors due to its risk reduction in trade . This approach fosters cross-border collaboration and balanced development in free trade zones. Under this strategy, free trade zones near common borders collaborate and benefit from symmetrical development. This research aims to examine the nearshoring strategy in the Aras Free Zone(AFZ) and has sought to explain the advantages of this strategy and its global experiences. Subsequently, the Meghri Special Economic Zone(MSEZ) in Armenia has been introduced as a key complement to the Aras Free Zone. To achieve the objectives of this research, a descriptive-analytical method was used, and data were collected from library resources, reputable articles and case studies. By reviewing global experiences, it can be concluded that nearshoring is an effective strategy for reducing production costs, increasing trade coordination, and minimizing political and logistical risks. The Aras Free Zone, due to its geoeconomics position and access to regional markets, has high capacity for implementing the nearshoring strategy. If this region converges with the Meghri region in Armenia, it can expand Iran's access to the markets of CIS countries and Russia. By addressing potential challenges and careful planning, nearshoring in the Aras Free Zone can strengthen regional integration and sustainable development, enhancing Iran's position in regional trade in a broader perspective.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 February 2026

  • Receive Date 02 June 2025
  • Revise Date 20 July 2025
  • Accept Date 16 September 2025