Announcing the readiness of Italian companies to be present in Iran
Chairman of the Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of Commerce: With the observation we made from the Italy-Iran Chamber in Rome, many Italian companies are preparing to re-enter Iran. We also advised the more than 5,000 members we have in the Iran-Italy Chamber to prepare themselves.
According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, Ahmad Pourfallah said about the trade situation between Iran and Italy and the impact of the possible lifting of sanctions on it: "After the lifting of sanctions in the previous period, we saw the largest presence of Italian businessmen in Iran." Even the first high-ranking political figure to come to Iran was the Italian Foreign Minister, so much so that the Italian Prime Minister also visited Iran. This shows the interest of the Italians in working with the Iranians.
He added: "For many years, Italy was our first trading partner and the only European country with which our trade balance was positive. That is, he bought from us much more than he sold to us, while the infrastructure of many of our industries, including the leather, stone, home appliances, and even parts of our steel, oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, was created by the Italians. As a result, you want us to import a lot of spare parts and raw materials from Italy.
Pour Fallah added: "However, our sales to Italy were much higher, because Italy bought its required oil only from us and Italian petrochemicals were regulated with Iranian oil." About 8 or 9 years ago we had a record $ 7 billion in trade with Italy. It is now below $ 1 billion due to restrictions but has never been cut off, and many small and medium-sized companies have kept in touch with us.
The head of the Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of Commerce noted the impact of the lifting of sanctions on trade between the two countries: "It is expected that immediately with the re-entry of Borjam and the lifting of sanctions again, we will see the rise of Italian companies and entrepreneurs in Iran." Observing the Italian and Iranian chambers in Rome, many Italian companies are preparing to re-enter Iran. We also advised the more than 5,000 members we have in the Iran-Italy Chamber to prepare themselves. In the previous period, unfortunately, we were not prepared and could not take advantage of the opportunity created by the arrival of various groups from Europe, especially Italy and Germany.
In response to a question about the number of Italian companies ready to enter the country, he said: "We do not have specific statistics on the number of Italian companies that have announced their readiness to participate in Iran, but all members of Italy and Iran in Rome, which are more than 105 companies, are ready to attend." In Iran, they have announced in various fields and even investments.
He added: "Therefore, we have the opportunity to attract investment from Italy, provided that we solve the problems in other parameters." If we lift the sanctions tomorrow but do not join the FATF and Palermo, we will certainly not be able to seize the opportunity. Therefore, infrastructure, transparency and parameters are needed in our management department.
Referring to the sale of oil to Italy, Pourfallah said: "It is true that the embargo hurt the fact that the Italians went to the oil of other countries such as Algeria and Libya, but I think the Italians are willing to trade with traders, merchants and business for various reasons. They are from Iran. So if we do not hope that all the Italian demand for Iranian oil in the past will return, we can hope that half of it will return in the medium term.
The head of the Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of Commerce continued: "Italians are aware of the advantages of Iranian oil, the quality of which is higher than the oil of many other countries." We feel that there is a lot of excitement in Italy today to revive the relationship.
In response to a question about Iran's blocked currencies in Italy, he said: "According to the latest observations, we do not have a high figure of creditors in Italy and its figure is lower than Iran's currencies in many other countries." We have never had a problem with Italy on this issue like other countries.
