Short Business Profile of Iran
Population: Population: 89 million (largest in Middle East)
GDP: ~$367 billion (2024 est.)
Key Sectors
- Energy: 4th in oil reserves, 2nd in gas reserves globally
- Industry: Petrochemicals, automotive (1.3M vehicles/year), mining , cement
- Agriculture: Pistachios (#1 exporter), saffron (90% global supply), dates
- Tech: Growing startup ecosystem (e-commerce, fintech)
Trade
- Top Exports: Oil/gas, chemicals, metals, agriculture
- Major Partners: China, Iraq, UAE, Turkey, India
Business Environment
Opportunities:
- Large domestic market with young, educated workforce
- Strategic BRI (Belt & Road) location
Cultural Essential
- Relationships: Trust-based negotiations; expect multiple meetings
- Pacing: Decisions slower than Western standards
- Work Week: Sunday-Thursday (Friday/Saturday weekend)
- Language: Persian (Farsi). English fluency varies.
Practical Tips
- Payments: Use EUR/USD cash; international cards *do not work.