German firms seeking to help Iran’s industry, energy sectors: official

September 7, 2015 - 0:0

German companies are seeking to help Iranian industry and energy sectors, according to Nils Schmid, the deputy prime minister as well as the minister of financial and economic affairs of Germany’s Baden-Wurttemberg State.

Schmid, who is in Iran on the head of a trade delegation of 68 representatives from a number of Baden-Wurttemberg’s companies, made the stamen in a meeting with Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in Tehran on Sunday, the Shana News Agency reported.

“There was some good cooperation between companies of Baden-Wurttemberg and Iranian firms before the sanctions were imposed against Iran. We intend to resume such ties when the sanctions are lifted”, the German officials sated.

He said the member companies of the visiting delegation are strong in manufacturing of machinery and also in engineering services. They can be of help to the Iranian industry.

“We believe in the large market of Iran”, Schmid said and expressed hope over continuance of ties with the Iranian companies.

Zanganeh, for his part, said Iranian and German companies can start cooperation talks before the sanctions release, so that they can seal the final contracts as soon as the sanctions are lifted.

He also explained potentialities available in Iran for attraction of foreign investment in different economic fields.

Referring to economizing on energy consumption as a field of cooperation interested by both countries, the minister said given that Baden-Wurttemberg is strong in car manufacturing; it can help Iran in manufacturing of fuel-efficient cars.

Germany was the first country that dispatched a trade delegation to Iran after Tehran’s nuclear deal with the world’s major powers.

Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel, who visited Iran in July on the head of a trade delegation including representatives of some German industrial giants like Siemens, Mercedes and Volkswagen Group, said a new chapter has opened in economic ties between Iran and Germany.

German Ambassador to Tehran Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg says German companies are keen to boost links with Iran and directly invest in the country.  

Two economic delegations from another two states of Germany are scheduled to visit Iran in the next 20 days, Amir-Hossein Zamaninia, the Iranian deputy oil minister for international and commercial affairs, said on Sunday.

MA/