Economic officials and delegations from Germany, Belgium, and Italy are in Tehran to revive and consolidate their countries’ trade relations. “The easing of sanctions in the current situation has provided an ideal opportunity for expansion of industrial and trade cooperation between German companies and Iran,” Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh said in a meeting with Horst Schrage, the head of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, in Tehran, Fars News Agency reported. The Iranian minister commented on the new business opportunities in Iran following the easing of sanctions against the country in light of the Jan. 20 implementation of the Geneva nuclear deal struck by Tehran and the six major world powers late in November.
Belgium ties
Gholamhossein Shafei, the head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), underlined Tehran’s willingness to expand economic cooperation with Brussels. “We ask the Belgium-Iran Chamber of Commerce to pave the way for expansion of economic ties with Iran,” Shafei said in a meeting with Vice President of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce Jacques Glorieux in Tehran on Monday. The official said Belgium’s strategic position has been a driving force behind Iran’s intention to expand bilateral trade ties with that country. “Iran pursues development of economic relations (with other countries) on the basis of shared interests,” he said. ICCIMA also voiced displeasure over the low level of bilateral trade that, he said, amounted to only $800 million, stressing that the private sectors of Iran and Belgium should become more active to increase their mutual economic ties. Shafei said many countries are today competing over ties and investments in Iran, “and those who move sooner and better will have a bigger share of this market”. On Sunday, the vice president of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce announced that a high-level Belgian trade delegation is scheduled to visit Iran in the next two months. Speaking in a meeting with economic experts of Mazandaran province, Glorieux said the visit will last for six days. He hoped that the commercial, social and economic relations between Belgium and Iran, especially with Mazandaran, would expand with the help of the two countries’ trade sectors. Glorieux said Belgian companies that see a possibility for running operations in Mazandaran province would join the upcoming visit of the Belgian trade delegation.
Italy investment
Rosario Alessandrello, the chairman of Italy-Iran Chamber of Commerce, said Italian companies are interested in investing in Iranian projects. Heading a 17-member delegation consisting of the CEOs of top Italian private companies, Alessandrello made the remark in a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Behrouz Alishiri. Alessandrello said Italy is keen on expanding cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors in all areas. “Iran has gained a better international status, which has prepared the ground for the private sectors of European countries to have a more significant presence in the country’s market,” he said.
“Iran has amended investment rules and regulations, and offers incentives to foreign investors to expand cooperation with European companies.” Alessandrello hoped that given Iran’s new international status, he will be able to encourage prominent Italian companies to begin cooperation with the country. Alishiri said the Iranian government will do its best to support foreign companies willing to make investments in the country. He stressed that Iran and Italy should prepare the infrastructures to further expand cooperation. The official highlighted the importance of outlining an effective mechanism for promoting ties and investment cooperation and boosting transactions. “Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce is an effective organization that can encourage Italian private sector companies to further make investments in Iran and expand trade relations with the country,” he said. Alishiri hoped that the two countries will further improve economic trade ties in future.
Following the implementation of Geneva nuclear accord struck by Iran and P5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) in November 24, the ground has been prepared for the increased participation of European countries in the Iranian lucrative market.
Several European states have so far sent their trade delegations to Iran to study opportunities for widening trade ties and exchanges with Tehran, while more EU member-states are preparing to send similar delegations to the Islamic Republic. The largest of such delegations comprised 141 French businessmen and traders who stayed in Tehran for several days earlier this month.