Following a thaw in relations between Iran and Europe that came in the wake of a preliminary nuclear deal between Tehran and P5+1, an Italian trade delegation visited Iran in late July to explore ways of forging closer bilateral cooperation and clear the hurdles standing in the way of more trade ties between the two nations. Here is a report Sharq Newspaper ran on the story on July 26:
The Italian delegation was led by Director General for the Country Promotion Andrea Meloni who told the director of the Iranian Trade Promotion Organization Valiollah Afkhami-Rad that Rome is interested in promotion of ties with and investment in Iran. […]
The Iranian official, for his part, said long-term tax exemptions and visa-free entries are some of the incentives on offer in the country’s free trade zones.
He further said the Iranian automotive industry is all set to receive investment by Italy, adding that after the gradual easing of sanctions, Iranian carmakers have set the stage for expansion of relations with other countries.
At the meeting, another Italian delegate said an Iran Desk is to be set up in the Italian industrial promotion agency to pursue better relations between Tehran and Rome.
In conclusion, he signaled the willingness of Italian industrialists to establish a presence in Iran and said the two sides need to join forces to respond to growing calls among Italian industrialists for such presence.
