A round table "Doing business in Iran" took place in Moscow Chamber of Industry and Commerce on October 21, 2013. It was organized by MCCI and the Commission on trade and economic cooperation with partners in the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as Friendship and Cooperation Russia - Iran and the firm " Himtrans".
Vice president of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce Suren Vardanyan stated: "We are very pleased today to see a lot of Russian and Iranian businessmen. This shows a huge mutual interest and great opportunities for cooperation. Moscow Chamber of Commerce and its Commission on Iran has long sought to develop bilateral business contacts between our countries. Russian business delegation visited Iran and representatives of the Iranian companies as guests of MCCI. I am sure that Russian companies will be able to take its rightful place in the promising market of Iran as Iranian companies would find themselves in the Russian market".
Also Suren Vardanyan informed that on November 1 Moscow Chamber of Commerce business delegation was scheduled to visit the Iranian province of Gilan, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce.
The Chairman of the Commission for trade and economic cooperation with partners in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Rajab Safarov said: " Unfortunately, the political hysteria over the situation in Iran turned away Russian business. Meanwhile over the past 5 years the Government of Iran has invested heavily in the development of special economic zones about 80 bln U.S. dollars. This is a very serious approach to the development of business. Every year 6,000 kilometers of roads and railways are built in Iran. Iranian steel market rose by 14 per cent during the year, while the global trend was 4per cent. But most importantly, I do not know of any case in which the Russian company has suffered while doing business with Iranian counterparts. The main problem for building a large-scale economic cooperation, in my opinion, is that the businessmen of two countries do not have enough information about the real state of affairs".
First Secretary of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Zabiula Naderi underlined: "I fully agree with Mr. Safarov. Difficulties in cooperation between our countries were artificially created, and led to a reduced turnover as a result. Trade balance with China totaled $40 billion last year, Russia indicated only 2 billion USD. We believe that it is very small. Iran saw and sees Russia as the most important trade and economic partner. And we will make every effort to establish business contacts between our countries".
Roundtable participants also discussed practical examples of doing business in Iran, logistics, financial issues.
In conclusion, Alexander Sharov described the permanent exhibition of Russian exporters in Iran. Any Russian company can order a stand that will be available in all leading industry Iranian exhibitions. To participate in the exhibition please contact:
Mrs Tayana Sveshnikova
Tel.: +7 (495) 786-41-19, +7 (495) 978-06-98, +7 (909) 663-87-39; e-mail: 230393k@mail.ru