NUMOV: Iran-Germany transactions will triple

Tehran, Dec 8, IRNA - As soon as anti-Iran sanctions are lifted, trade transactions between Iran and Germany will double or triple, said a NUMOV official. Helene Rang, CEO and deputy chairperson of the German Near and Middle East Association (NUMOV), made the statement in an exclusive interview with 'Iran Daily' on the sidelines of the Iran-Germany Business Forum held in Tehran on Sunday. Rang has been to Iran 20 times, said the English-language daily, published Monday. Founded in 1934, NUMOV is Germany's oldest and largest non-profit and independent service provider for the Near and Middle East region, which is currently holding talks with Iranian companies and officials to promote bilateral trade. Responding to the daily's question on the activities of the German Near and Middle East Association, Rang said that the German Near and Middle East Association was founded 80 years ago. The activities pertain to enhancing bilateral business relations in the Near and the Middle East. It seeks to expand ties with the Persian Gulf and Arab nations, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other regional states. On what the German private sector can do to encourage bilateral trade, now that the Iranian government has opened up more opportunities for international trade, he said: 'I have always supported all kinds of trade with Iran. I motivate German traders and investors to visit Iran and urge Iranians to reciprocate. However, anti-Iran sanctions have hindered trade promotion between the two states. We would like to have a change and we are hopeful about significant progress in the coming year. 'The private sector does its utmost to boost bilateral trade. But as long as sanctions remain in place, they hinder payments and banking transactions between the two states. It is a problem for all kinds of activities like investment and trade. If Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers manage to hammer out a nuclear deal by July 1, 2015 deadline, would that help Tehran and Berlin make significant progress in boosting trade? We are here in Tehran, right now, because we are optimistic that Iran and major world powers will reach a nuclear deal, which will boost mutual trade. We have travelled to Tehran to take the first step and will come here again to strengthen bilateral ties. Trade transactions between Iran and Germany may double or triple as soon as sanctions are lifted. Germany is waiting to see the abolition of embargoes against Iran.' When asked whether German firms had a significant share to resume trade ties, hindered under the previous administration (2005-13), since President Hassan Rouhani assumed office last year, Rang said: 'Of course. As you see, a large number of companies have joined this meeting in Tehran to explore ways of boosting trade with Iranian firms. We earlier hosted Iranian delegations in Berlin headed by Industries, Mines and Trade Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh. We are looking forward to hosting Iranians in Berlin once again to further expand our ties and reciprocate their moves.' On whether there is any sort of affiliation between the German Near and Middle East Association and the German government, he said that NUMOV is a largest private-owned NGO that has close relationship with the German administration, but it is not financially supported by the German government. This is because we finance ourselves through membership fees. On whether he believes Iran's exports to Germany could surpass its imports, regarding bilatateral ties and that trade surplus favors Germany, Rang said, undoubtedly, Iran can take approaches that could result in trade surplus. Iranian companies should come to Germany and contact us to lay the foundation for boosting exports. Iranians can make investments in Germany to benefit the German markets. Regarding investment potentials for Iranian companies in Germany, Rang said, they can invest in a variety of fields, for example renewable energy. As you know, Germany is seeking to do away with fossil fuel and substitute it with clean energy. Renewable energy is a tip of the iceberg. Iranians can set up business activities with Germans in numerous fields. Responding to a question on the targets that have been set up for the ongoing talks between the German delegation and Iranians, he said, 'We are here for the beginning of a new era in trade ties between Iran and Germany. As soon as sanctions are removed, the two sides will boost their trade ties remarkably. This is because embargoes have hindered efforts for banking payments.' The presence of the German delegation heralds a major breakthrough in nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 by the July 1, 2015 deadline. Not only Iran, but also the West should double their efforts to settle the remaining problems. I assure you that the lifting of sanctions will cause a boom in Iran's business.