Swiss Ambassador in Tehran: Invest in Iran, the 'Pole of Stability' in the Middle East

The Swiss ambassador in Tehran described Iran as the 'pole of stability' in the Middle East and invited foreign companies to take full advantage of the lucrative market that will emerge after the lifting of sanctions. According to Reuters, Giulio Haas made these remarks on Thursday, September 5, in front of 500 Swiss traders and investors in Zurich. The ambassador's comments come amid extensive efforts by European companies to invest and trade with Iran, considering the lifting of sanctions following the nuclear agreement. In part of his speech, he stated, 'For many outside Iran, it is still the country of old men with beards and turbans. But the truth is that today there are very few of these people, especially in the field of economy and trade.' Iran's regional rivals and enemies, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia, oppose the recent agreement that limits Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The U.S. Congress has until September 17 to vote on this agreement, which is supported by Barack Obama but opposed by Republicans. The Swiss ambassador noted that during his two-year stay in Iran, he has concluded that the common perception in the West that Iran is the most aggressive country in the world is changing. He added, 'It can now be said that Iran is likely the pole of stability in a very unsafe region.' The British government reopened its embassy in Tehran on Sunday after four years to keep up with its European rivals. The French foreign minister also visited Tehran two weeks after the nuclear agreement was signed on July 14. It is highly likely that sanctions related to the global financial and banking system against Iran will be lifted next year. With a population of 80 million, oil and gas reserves worth $35 trillion, and an urgent need to modernize its economic infrastructure, Iran is a valuable target for foreign companies. The Swiss ambassador was speaking at an event in Zurich organized by a foreign trade group. Representatives from major Swiss companies, including engineering firm ABB, UBS Bank, and AG, a manufacturer of agricultural equipment, attended the meeting. According to Reuters, since the first round of UN and EU sanctions against Iran in 2008, Swiss exports to the country have nearly halved, dropping to $415 million per year. One Swiss trader participating in the meeting said, 'Opening channels for money transfers to Iran is very important for us.' An Iranian packaging company owner told Reuters, 'Access to the Swiss banking and financial network is vital for Iran's economic prosperity. Given the size of Iran's economy, everyone is thinking about expanding their activities in that country. However, one of the problems is that Iranian companies currently lack liquidity or the ability to establish financial relations with abroad.' Experts warn that Iran is still a complex and difficult market where bureaucratic red tape, favoritism, and illegal goods proliferation are widespread. Additionally, it remains unpredictable in terms of legal and investment security. Sharif Nezam Mafi, head of the Iran-Switzerland Chamber of Commerce, stated, 'Financial corruption continues at an unimaginable level.' Nevertheless, most speakers at the meeting described Iran as a 'virgin market' with modern consumers ready for trade with the West. Ali Amiri from the investment consulting firm ACL, which focuses on investment in Iran, urged attendees, 'Be brave. You have operated in tougher countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, South Africa, and Nigeria. Compared to those countries, doing business in Iran is like drinking water.'