Tehran, Iran, Sept. 17
By Milad Fashtami - Trend:
Italian investors have declared their readiness to invest in various projects in Iran.
A delegation consisted of European investors is currently in Iran to study investment opportunities.
Houshang Ebrahimi, the coordinator of the Italian delegation, said that Italian firms have been active in Iran's energy, car manufacturing, renewable energy and other sectors in the past 10 years.
"Since the cultures of Iran and Italy are similar, the Italian companies are willing to invest in Iran more," he said.
He made the remarks in a meeting with Iran's Western Kerman Province's officials.
Iran's IRIB News Agency reported on September 14 that an Italian firm has started its negotiations with the officials of Iran's southern Fars province for possible investment in the province's oil and gas projects.
The Italian firm wants to indirectly invest in the projects.
The Italians also want to export their technical knowledge to the Iranian side.
Head of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran Valiollah Afkhami-Rad said on August 31 that Tehran needs to absorb foreign investment to boost its production and exports potential.
"Foreigners' investment in Iran will transfer new technologies to the country," he added.
The Trade Promotion Organization of Iran intends to hold exhibitions in foreign countries to encourage foreign companies and businessmen to invest in Iranian projects.
Behrouz Alishiri, the head of Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran said in May that Iran's government is working to prepare a comprehensive incentive package for attracting foreign investments.
He added that the package includes all sectors of economy such as free trade zones, communication networks, financial and monetary systems, social and health sectors, etc.
One of the striking developments in Iran in recent months has been the large external capital inflows, mostly in the form of foreign direct investment (FDI), thanks largely to its initial progress in macroeconomic stabilization, improved investment regime, and progress in nuclear negotiations with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - (Russia, China, the U.S., France, Britain) plus Germany.
Iran's deputy economy minister Mohammad Khazaei said on August 31 that the number of foreign investment delegations has increased from 65 to 300 over the past year.
According to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the Islamic Republic of Iran exceeded $3 billion in 2013.
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