File Picture: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (right) welcomes his Iranian counterpart (AFP)
DUBAI/ANKARA: Iran welcomed the most senior French trade delegation in years yesterday, telling more than 100 executives that the far-sighted among them stood to win the race for business following an easing of some economic sanctions.
The prospect of a relaxation of commercial restrictions has whetted the appetite of French firms eager to win back business in an oil- and gas-producing country of about 80 million people where some previously had extensive operations.
“A new chapter has begun in relations between Iran and Europe,” Mohammad Nahavandi an, President Hassan Rowhani’s chief of staff, was quoted as saying by the official Irna news agency.
“You should carry the message back that potential for cooperation with Iran is real and not to be overlooked,” he told the delegation. “Those with longer foresight stand to win this race.”
The delegation of more than 100 executives from Medef, the French employers’ association, on a February 2-5 trip, met Nahavandian and members of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Irna said.
A source close to the delegation said it was the most senior group of entrepreneurs and financiers to visit Iran since the 1979 revolution, representing the defence, aviation, petrochemicals, automotive, shipping and cosmetics sectors.
Among the companies represented were Safran, Airbus, Total, GDF-Suez, Renault, Alcatel, Alstom, Amundi and L’Oréal, the source said.
Reuters
