TEHRAN – At the 20th International Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show 2015), which kicked off on Wednesday in Tehran, one thing was certain: there seems to be high hopes and bright future for investment in Iran as sounded by foreign delegations participating in the oil show.

The oil show, hosting around 600 foreign and 1,200 local gas and oil related companies, was able to bring firms from China, Italy, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, South Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, and many more countries together.

Once a nuclear deal is signed between Iran and the P5+1, many global energy giants, some of which present at the oil show, are awaiting to enter the Iranian market.

Norbert Kaiser, the managing director of Prema-Service, a German based company that provides parts and services for oil companies, was among the participants at the Iran Oil Show.

On the future of the Iran-German cooperation, Kaiser told the Tehran Times that they are “seeking partnership” with Iran, not just selling their products.

“We have just started cooperation with two Iranian companies. We consider this [collaboration] the first step to begin business with Iran and if sanctions are lifted, we could think about doing more [business] with Iran,” Kaiser added.

Another interviewee, Ken Tu, the manager of Chinese Supcon company, which offers solutions and supplies services and automation products to various oil and gas companies told the Tehran Times that his company has been operating in Iran for 6 years.

Tu said that the sanctions on Iran are serious issues for foreign investment, but expressed hope that after the lifting of the ban his company would be able to offer even more services and solutions to the Iranian firms.

“Our company has advantages over others trying to test the water in Iran’s market since we have already established ourselves in the country and have built our own clients and customers,” he pleasantly said.

Allen Ji, the commercial manager for Chinese KERUI Company, also said that lifting economic sanctions on Iran would be good news for Iranians and as a result the country could receive more investment from Europe, U.S., and other countries.

As it goes for his company, he said, “We are here and will be here”, though he admitted that after the lifting of the sanctions his company will deal with more competition from the European and American sides.

“Since Chinese companies have formed strong relations with Iranian partners and have already experienced Iran’s market, with good quality products we have no worries to face our competitors,” Ji added.

Agnes Hagyak, the head of French delegate at the oil exhibition, also sat with the Tehran Times to express her views on the future of cooperation between the two countries.  

“There is potential for new cooperation between Iran and France,” Hagyak said, adding that the companies she has brought along are looking into establishing joint ventures with their former partners in Iran and promoting their products.

She also praised Iranians as “educated” and “sophisticated” and called Iran “a country with long history.”

She added that the French have to offer something new to Iran’s market.

“Coming back to Iran’s market would be tough since we have left it for a while, but we are looking forward to providing higher quality and better products and services to what already are available in Iran through Chinese companies,” she explained.



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Norbert Kaiser, the managing director of Prema-Service, says, “We have just started cooperation with two Iranian companies. We consider this [collaboration] the first step to begin business with Iran and if sanctions are lifted, we could think about doing more [business] with Iran.”