I   R   A   N    C   H   A   M   B   E   R    O  F    C   O   M   M   E   R   C   E ,   I   N   D   U   S   T   R   I   E   S    &    M   I   N   E   S

Home | About ICCIM | Local Chambers | Laws | Members' Directory | Business contact | About Iran | Links | Contact Us

We are proud to have paid off all our financial obligations incurred during the eight-year Iraqi-imposed war and we will continue to repay our debts punctually.

There are many products currently being produced in Iran, which can be used by English consumers

If you demand foreign investment, you have to accept the globally acclaimed principles such as membership on the World Trade Organisation and the acceptance of ATA carnet, so that the world will build confidence in you.

In the Spring of 1999, a trade delegation from the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM), headed by its president Ali Naqi Khamoushi, travelled to London for meetings with the Britain-Iran Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce, London's Chamber of Commerce, and some British industry proprietors.
On the first day of their stay in London, the Iranian delegation took part in a seminar held at the Confederation of British Industries (CBI), attended by 100 British industrial proprietors and businessmen wishing to conduct business with Iran.
The chairman of Britain-Iran Chamber of Commerce, Lord Waverley, gave a red-carpet welcome to the Iranian delegation, expressing hope that the landmark visit, as the first of its kind in the 20 years, will open up a new chapter of co-operation in the two nations' longstanding and close relations.

While criticising the unjustifiably low level of business between the two countries, Lord Waverley pointed out that: "There are many products currently being produced in Iran, which can be used by English consumers." He added that since Iran has a pivotal role in its surrounding region, it should be assisted in its development efforts. "Our aim is to clinch 50 joint ventures with Iran during the next two years, each of which will be worth 5 million dollars," he contended, and then urged both the British and the Iranian governments to work towards the fulfilment of this ideal. The British Chamber official also stressed the need for expanded investments in Iran's oil sector, hoping that Iran would butter up its image against its high-staked trade market.

Mr Khana, managing director of Britain's Ministry of Commerce, also voiced his opinion. He argued that although bilateral trade transactions stand at a meagre level, far below the two countries' potentials, the massive presence of British companies at Tehran's International Trade Fair, held annually early in October, is clear proof to their interest in the deepening of trade relations with Iran.

Another speaker at the seminar was Andrew Scott, a CBI director, who conveyed the confederation's willingness to bid in Iran's investment projects. He also warned that nations should not heed foreign investments as a basic right of their own, but rather should create the required grounds to spur foreign investments. "If you demand foreign investment, you have to accept the globally acclaimed principles such as membership in the World Trade Organisation, and the acceptance of the ATA carnet, so that the world will build confidence in you," he advised. The official then urged Iranian industries to become international, so that foreign parties can bid for their shares.

Iran's charges d'affaires to London, Gholamreza Ansari, lauded the delegation's visit as a new page in the history of the two nations, encompassing the most serious trade negotiation during the past 20 years. Mr Ansari then called for an amendment to the unfair ranking of Iran on the list of the most high-staked countries of the world in terms of trade.
ICCIM President Ali Naqi Khamoushi, acting as the chief of the travelling delegation, noted Iran's head ways under the development plan over the past few years. Mr Khamoushi also called on the British to set the record right and cross out Iran's name from the list of the most high-staked nations for foreign trade.

Mr Khamoushi took the centuries long co-operation between the two countries as proof of their mutual interests and the recognition of each other. He demanded a halt to the discriminatory tariffs, in a bid to pave the way for joint ventures, and the growth of bilateral trade.
Reacting to concerns raised by some British industry proprietors, the ICCIM chief declared: "We are proud to have paid off all financial obligations incurred during the eight-year Iraqi-imposed war, and we will continue to repay our debts punctually". As for Iran's difficulties with supplying capital resources, he blamed the 10 percent excess payment imposed on Iran due to being listed as a high-staked trade centre.(?) Mr Khamoushi did however expressed satisfaction over the recent independent (?from what?) policies of Britain in its relations with Tehran.

The leader of the Iranian delegation then turned to the issue of Iran's debts prior to the Islamic revolution, by stressing that they should be resolved as soon as possible since they are a major hurdle in the expansion of mutual trade. Mr Khamoushi pleaded with British officials to make an effort to understand Iran's post-revolutionary circumstances and obligations.

Another problem that was pointed out by the Iranian official were the suspicions and accusations put forth whenever Iran orders certain substances, such as chemicals used for nuclear power plants. He then invited international monitors to make due inspections of Iranian plants, and assured them that their suspicions are unfounded.
The ICCIM chief also asserted that although Iran is being squeezed for foreign exchange supply, it will not take any had-outs, but will rather look for partners who will provide industrial technology, so that Iran will be able to pay its debts from industrial yields.
The Iranian trade official appealed for the improvement in consular relations between the two countries to contribute in the building of a strategic bridge between the West and Central Asia.

Another major figure with which the Iranian delegation met was the director of the International Bureau of Credit Lyonnaise, Mr Leighton who conveyed his respective institute's preparedness in assisting the Iranian institutes with their privatisation efforts.
The Iranian delegation also held separate meetings with the managing director of London Invisible, a high-ranking Foreign Office official, London's Commerce Chamber directors, and the British minister of Commerce, Brian Wilson.