‘I will travel to Tehran as head of Russia-Iran Joint Economic Commission in a bid to broaden economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in March,’ Novak told FNA on Thursday.

Minister Novak, co-chair of the Russian-Iranian Intergovernmental Committee on trade and economic cooperation, said last year he met with the Iranian co-chair of the agency during his visit to Tehran.

‘Today we outlined the directions for development of our cooperation and those projects which will be discussed soon to make sure they develop. I hope that in these two days we shall get a positive result and maybe tomorrow, summing everything up, we would be able to talk about… specific contracts,’ Novak said.

According to the Russian minister, the sides discussed Iranian energy development issues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September that Russia was highly satisfied with the progress in cooperation with Iran in various areas, including the fight against terrorism and projects in peaceful nuclear energy.

As Iran starts returning to the global economic stage following the landmark nuclear deal which has led to the termination of Western sanctions in accordance with the July 14, 2015, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Several countries have ceased the opportunity rushing to Iran from four corners of the world including Germany, UK, Italy, Singapore, Indonesia, Bulgaria and etc., vying over Islamic Republic’s lucrative market.

Responding to the enthusiastic delegations arriving in Tehran, a 60-strong trade delegation from Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) has recently traveled to Germany.

Iran and Germany believe that the value of trade between the two countries could double from the current level of €2.4 billion.

On Feb. 17 Iran’s Deputy Labor Minister and head of the Organization for Technical and Vocational Training, Mohammad Amin Sazgarnejad underlined the need for expanding ties with Germany for the transfer of technology.

Sazgarnejad listed possible areas of cooperation including the dispatch of Iranian trainers to Germany, presence of German trainers in Iran, defining professional career and skill standards as well as creation of specialized vocational training centers in Iran by German industries.

He also stressed the need for long-term presence of qualified personnel in teacher training centers.

He pointed to the dual educational system in Germany noting, ‘In line with economic activities, German firms are required to establish technical and vocational training centers which suit local conditions in Iran.’

**Germans Came First:

Germany which enjoys the unique technological know-how, was one of the first European countries that seized the chance to send a major trade delegation to Tehran to look for the avenues to expand economic ties after July 14, 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 — the US, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany — was finalized.

Five days after the nuclear deal, Germany’s Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel arrived in Tehran for a two-day visit at the head of a 60-strong delegation included representatives of big German industrial companies such as Linde, Siemens, Mercedes, BASF, Volkswagen Group, and GIZ.

Later, Germany’s Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Matthias Machnig told reporters that Gabriel’s visit had opened a new chapter in relations between Iran and Germany.

Machnig said that the German industries can make “a substantial contribution” to Iran’s modernization after the removal of the sanctions against the country.

On January 2016, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder headed a trade delegation for an unofficial three-day visit to Tehran.

Schroeder said that German companies seek to invest in Iran especially in the field of transportation and infrastructure.

‘The presence of German companies in Iran can open a new chapter in the development of economic relations of the two countries,” Schroeder noted.

Renewable Energy:

On November 2015, Iran’s Ministry of Energy signed an agreement with a German company to build 1,250 megawatts of solar power plant projects in the hydrocarbon-rich country’s latest move to go green with its energy supply chain.

Under the deal, the Germans will build several solar farms in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan as Iran embraces clean energy.

The plan for Tehran is to build 500 MW of solar energy projects, including 150 MW in Kahrizak, 200 MW in Varamin and 150 MW in Malard.

A further capacity for 750 MW of photovoltaic energy will be installed in central Isfahan and northwestern Tabriz.

According to media reports Siemens intends to supply the country with wind turbine equipment.

In August 2015, Iran and Germany signed a document for generation of 100 MW of wind power plus 400 MW of solar in the southern Khuzestan province.

German companies are reportedly about to begin building wind farms in Iran at a cost of $331 million next year.

The Iranian government plans to install 5,000 MW of renewable capacity, putting Iran among the likes of the UK and France. The Ministry of Energy is already implementing 500 MW wind converters and further 100 MW biomass projects.

Iran’s renewable energy potential is huge, where only the wind capacity is estimated at 30,000 megawatts.

The existing renewable mix is focused on hydro power plants which produce about 8,500 MW. Just 150 MW of green power plants are currently operating in the country.

In the meantime, a consortium of Iranian, Indian and South Korean companies seeks to set up an energy park in the Khuzestan province in a project worth $10 billion, including 1,000 MW of solar projects.

Environment Protection Cooperation:

On Nov 2015, Deputy Head of the Department of Environment Saeed Motesadi said Iran and Germany are to expand cooperation in the field of environment protection.

Motesadi said that Iran and Germany will also work on mechanisms for economizing energy consumption, checking air pollution, wastage management, upgrading systems and laboratory equipment and environment protection routine tests.

Daimler, Benz & Iran Khodro:

On Jan. 18, Iran Khodro Industrial Group, the biggest auto manufacturer in the Middle East, and Germany’s Daimler Company, the owner of several subsidiary and big brand auto companies such as Mercedes Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Smart, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on establishment of two joint companies.

Iran Khodro and Daimler have agreed to launch strategic cooperation as major truck producers worldwide.

The two Iranian and German auto giants have also planned to establish two venture companies using each other’s capacities to consolidate their positions and set up a major commercial auto production hub in the region.

The MoU was inked by Iran Khodro’s Managing Director Hashem Yeke Zare and Daimler Trucks head Wolfgang Bernhard.

‘So, now that anti-Iran sanctions have been lifted, we are planning to speedily resume business in the market,’ Bernhard said.

Among other projects to come online between the two countries are joint ventures to establish a shipping line and establishment of a university as well as bilateral cooperation in the fields of agricultural and food activities to mention a few.

Now a bright future is ahead of Iran and other countries to reinforce their all-out cooperation. But the important point is that Tehran should be mindful of sustainable development and employ and adopt technologies and know-how that are required for its joint ventures with other developed companies.

Director General for economic affairs coordination of Governorate General of Markazi Province Mahmoud Nemati said that removing sanctions has created an opportunity to be able to have joint ventures with different world companies, including CNH from Italy.
He added that 31 foreign companies have joint ventures in Markazi province.
Nemati said that to support foreign investors in the province, a public center was established to offer all services needed by investors in the shortest possible time.
He said that the province is located at center of north-south transit corridor and all kind of energies like, oil, gas and electricity are being transported across the province.
Nemati also said that the province is the fourth polar of industry and by view of deploying big industries is the second polar of the country explaining that there are 3,000 industrial units in Markazi province which is known as industrial capital of Iran.
The official said that in addition to experts and specialists, who are working in Heavy Equipment Production Company (HEPCO), there are 100,000 students in scientific and technical education centers in the province.
Nemati added that there are special supportive and persuading law and regulations for foreign investors in the province.
HEPCO is producing agricultural machineries as well as road construction equipment.
Marketing Manager of HEPCO Hamid Qozati also presented a report on history of cooperation with CNH (former New Holland) before imposed sanctions.
CNH is one the largest producers of road construction, agriculture machineries, off-road machineries, off-road trucks, and machineries to be used in mines and dam construction and is considered as one of the three top companies in the world.

Speaking to IRNA, Soltan-Ahmadi said that the South Korean delegation is to visit Iran for the 11th Iran-South Korea Joint Economic Commission.
Iran-South Korea Joint Economic Commission is to be held after a 10-year interval.
South Korean investors and merchants have expressed huge eagerness for presence in the joint commission, Soltan-Ahmadi said.
He said that the positive atmosphere following the implementation of Iran nuclear deal has paved the way for further cooperation between Tehran and Seoul.

Talking to IRNA, Kargar reiterated that China keeps increasing the volume of its import of Iranian hand-woven carpets everyday.

‘The volume of exported Iranian hand-made carpets to China has increased from $8,000 to $8,000,000 within five years,’ he said.

‘During the sanctions era, Iran’s hand-woven carpets had inconspicuous presence in the traditional European markets,’ the official added.

‘Iranian carpet merchants sought new markets in countries like Brazil, South Africa, Russia and China that are considered as new carpet export destinations for Islamic Republic,’ he said.

‘Iran’s rival, China, which used to produce carpets for itself, has now become a client of Iranian carpets today and is one of the top buyers of Iranian handmade carpets,’ Kargar noted.

Recently, deputy minister of industry, mines and trade said the export of machine-made carpets will hit $400 million in the year to March 20, 2016.

Mojtaba Khosrotaj put the value of machine-made carpet exports in the past nine months to December 2015 at $300 million.

The figure for the nine months last year stood at $330 million, he said.

Marcel Riudavets Slangen, SERCOBE’s Export Director, in a meeting with Managing Director of the National Petrochemical Industries Company Marziyeh Shahdaei announced his company’s interest in long-term financing of Damavand Petrochemical Complex.
He said this was his second visit to Iran in recent months and expressed hope that his talks will lead to the company’s presence in Damavand Petrochemical Complex.
Meanwhile, Amir Hossein Fallah, Finance Advisor and Investment Development Director of the Company who was also present in the meeting said Damavand Petrochemical Complex is in the process for being transferred.
Therefore, he added, the Spanish company should work with the new owner if agreement is reached between the two sides.
Damavand Petrochemical is a utility complex located in Assalouyeh.

Danny Annan, in a meeting with members of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture of Zanjan Province further remarked that Denmark has no problem in the field of water and sometimes has surplus rainfall.
He said in recent years his country has achieved many technologies with the help of which it can solve water problem in Iran, Zanjan in particular.
The ambassador said that the role the representative office of the Foreign Ministry plays in Zanjan is highly important and crucial in providing further information for foreign embassies in Tehran.
Stressing that this is his first visit out of Tehran, he said apparently there are great opportunities in the mining sector for which further communications can be held between Iranian and Danish companies.
The ambassador noted that Danish companies are looking at the Iranian market but there is the challenge of market evaluation and high tariffs. He added that licensed production with the participation of Iranian industrial units and Danish technical know-how can be a good mechanism for the removal of the problem.
Referring to the efforts of Russia to use the dairy production capacity of Zanjan, he said if Denmark and Iran find the opportunity for mutual cooperation in this regard, dairy products favored by the Russians can be produced as well.

‘Regarding the abundance of hydrocarbon resources in Iran, a bright future awaits future generations in the country and we are supported to mind their rights regarding these resources,’ said Mohammad-Reza Moqaddam, who is deputy minister for research and technology.
Addressing an international conference in Tehran on Monday, the official said minding inter-generational rights in generation and consumption of energy is a necessity for today’s needs.
He said enhanced oil recovery techniques must be used so that oil and gas recovery is boosted and the rights of future generations are preserved, Shana reported.
Moghaddam said Iran’s petroleum industry needs renovations in many sectors, adding that the resistive economy paves the way for revising industrial policies in the country.
He further said energy consumption can be optimized in Iran to reduce consumption up to 40%.

Marziyeh Shahdaei, a deputy petroleum minister in petrochemical affairs, told a meeting with senior petrochemical executives from Persian Gulf Holding Company on Monday that following the lifting of international sanctions, many international firms from Europe and the US have indicated interest to join projects in Iran.
She said the holding can become a major partner in Iran’s petrochemical development given the fact that it has grown bigger and more influential than NPC, Shana reported.
Shahdaei, who presides over NPC, said the company is planning to materialize the country’s second petrochemical leap by 2020, adding, ‘We would do whatever we can in this regard.’
She said NPC is responsible for attracting finances for petrochemical projects, adding it lays so much expectations on PGHC in this regard.