Iran, a pivotal nation along the Belt and Road Initiative, serves as a critical energy supplier and export market for China, boasting abundant petroleum and natural gas reserves. The landmark 2015 agreement between the U.S., EU, and Iran to progressively lift longstanding economic sanctions signaled favorable conditions for untapped sectoral opportunities in Iran, creating advantageous entry pathways for Chinese enterprises. Presently, numerous European and American firms are actively repositioning to re-engage with Iran’s revitalized market.
To facilitate Chinese enterprises’ understanding of Iranian market dynamics, the "Global Business Opportunities" series seminar titled "Iranian Business Opportunities," jointly organized by Victwo and the Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park, was successfully conducted at Zhongguancun Software Park on November 26, 2015. Distinguished speakers included Mr. Seyed R.S. Aghazadeh, Commercial Counsellor of the Iranian Embassy in China; Dr. Wang Qiong, Juris Doctor and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Mr. Gong Zhenxi, Senior Editor at Xinhua News Agency and researcher at the Xinhua Center for World Affairs Studies; Ms. Yang Huijun, Market Director of China Metallurgical Engineering & Project Corporation; and Mr. Yu Jie, General Manager Assistant of the Electromechanical Division at CNBM International Engineering Co., Ltd. The seminar was chaired by Mr. Edward Yang, General Manager of Victwo, with Deputy Director Wang Chongwu from the International Cooperation Office of the Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park delivering a keynote address.
In his presentation, Mr. Aghazadeh provided a comprehensive overview of Iran’s free trade zones, tax exemptions, visa policies, investment climate, incentive programs, and high-potential industries. To facilitate foreign enterprises’ market entry, the Iranian government established the Foreign Investment Service Center, headquartered in Tehran with provincial branches nationwide. He clarified that investments fall into two categories: direct investment and contractual agreements. Prior to 2002, direct investments were restricted, particularly for government-backed foreign entities, but such limitations have since been lifted. Direct investments now operate through three frameworks: buyback agreements, civil partnerships, and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models.
The Counsellor emphasized the continued validity of numerous bilateral investment agreements between China and Iran, ensuring legal recourse for Chinese enterprises encountering disputes with local partners. He further affirmed that both Iranian domestic legislation and Sino-Iranian treaties remain legally binding in such cases.
Highlighting Iran’s robust tourism sector, Mr. Aghazadeh noted increasing inbound tourism from neighboring nations and global visitors, particularly post-sanctions, with medical tourism emerging as a growth driver. He encouraged Chinese investors to explore opportunities in hospitality and healthcare tourism infrastructure development.
Iran currently operates seven free trade zones, offering 20-year tax exemptions for zone-registered enterprises. Additionally, foreign investors enjoy visa-free access to these zones.
Dr. Wang Qiong delivered a lecture titled “Opportunities and Challenges for Chinese Investments in Iran in the Post-Sanctions Era”. She methodically outlined the 13-year evolution of the Iranian nuclear issue—a longstanding geopolitical focal point in the Middle East—from its inception to sanction relief, while analyzing opportunities and challenges confronting Chinese enterprises following the international community’s removal of economic restrictions on Iran.
Mr. Gong Zhenxi presented “Security Risks Facing Belt and Road Initiative in the Middle East”, detailing four primary risk categories for regional operations: 1) large-scale warfare threats, 2) risks of civil unrest and localized conflicts, 3) terrorist attacks and kidnappings, and 4) rapidly expanding extremist influences. Through meticulous analysis of root causes behind these risks, he provided strategic reference points for Chinese enterprises navigating Middle Eastern markets.
Drawing from firsthand project experience in Iran, Ms. Yang Huijun highlighted the nation’s secure domestic environment, hospitable and well-educated populace, and reliable business partners with strong creditworthiness. She noted Iran’s competitive labor costs, abundant mineral reserves, and emphasized challenges such as severe water scarcity and poor water quality necessitating advanced conservation technologies. Ms. Yang also advised adherence to European technical standards and stressed the imperative of localization strategies for Chinese enterprises operating in Iran.
Mr. Yu Jie outlined CNBM International Engineering’s corporate profile and operational insights from Iranian projects. He emphasized Iran’s stable political climate, robust industrial infrastructure, and highly qualified technical workforce, noting the steady progress of collaborative projects with Iranian partners. He also highlighted Iran’s preference for German engineering standards, advising Chinese enterprises to align with Iranian engineers’ design philosophies and procurement expectations while addressing material standard conversions. He further detailed CNBM International Engineering’s strategic approach to nurturing local stakeholder relationships, maintaining corporate reputation through public image management, and implementing philanthropic initiatives benefiting host communities.
Concluding the seminar, Deputy Director Huang Ying acknowledged participants’ active engagement and reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to leveraging institutional resources for supporting park-based enterprises in global expansion. She advocated for collaborative partnerships with professional service providers and emphasized the strategic advantages of collective internationalization.
