The geopolitical importance of Iran as a stable communications bridge in the area, has doubled after the disruption of the former USSR. There are railway links between landlocked former soviet republics and the Persian Gulf through Iran. The government, with a view to encourage import and export trade, has established several free commercial-industrial zones in the country’s southern areas, for example in Kish Island and Gheshm Island in the Persian Gulf and Chahbahar Port on the Oman Sea, and has also established special economic zones. There is an inclination to join the WTO in due course.