Investment framework and opportunities in Iran

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment: All the sectors are open to overseas investment except for the strategic sectors (defense) and the sectors upstream of gas and oil. In these sectors, foreign companies can intervene on the basis of buy-back contracts.
Acquisition of Holdings: A foreign company can have up to 100% of the capital of an Iranian company.
Obligation to Declare: All commercial entities engaged in activities in Iran must be registered on the commercial register. Businesses can be established in Iran itself or in one of the many economic free zones.
Non-Iranians can establish:
-a private joint stock company, limited liability company, branch office, or a representative office in Iran.
-joint stock companies (limited by shares) are the most common type of business set up by foreign investors, but company type will depend on the nature and extent of the business

All official company documents must be in Farsi. Any documents that need to be filed with an Iranian court also need to be translated by an official translator and certified by the judiciary, or notarised by the Iranian Embassy.

Foreign investors in Iran need to register with the relevant government authorities. These include:
-Iranian Foreign Investment Board
-Companies registration
-Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare
-Local municipality
-Iranian National Tax Administration
Useful information may also be found in the World Bank 2018 Report on Doing Business in Iran. It is advised to inquire about the position of one's country towards investment in Iran and to learn more about specific risks from the national Ministries of Foreigns Affairs.
Competent Organisation For the Declaration: Foreign Investment One Window plateform
Requests For Specific Authorisations: All businesses must be approved by the government. To learn more please visit the dedicated page on Invest Iran website.

Investment Opportunities

Investment Aid Agency: Organization for investment and economic and technical assistance in Iran (OEITAI)
Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Tenders Info, Tenders in Iran
Globaltenders, Tenders & Projects from Iran
Asian Development Bank, Proposed Projects in Asia
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
Other Useful Resources: Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Trade Promotion Organization of Iran
Teheran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Agriculture

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