The European-Iranian Business Alliance (EIBA)

EUROPEAN-IRANIAN BUSINESS ALLIANCE

The European-Iranian Business Alliance (EIBA) has been formed by BICC together with DIHKEV (of Germany) and CIE (of France) by a Declaration.

Since 2006 EU exports to Iran have fallen 51% from €11.3 billion to €5.4 billion in 2013 - as the consequence of sanctions against Iran. During the same period, US exports increased from US$ 85.9 million to US$ 312.8 million. Other mainly Asian countries have increased their share of Iran's imports during this period.

European companies have an excellent reputation in Iran and have the capacity to respond to the task of regaining market share.

The aim of EIBA is to help European business regain the pre-eminent commercial relationship with Iran that it once held. This will primarily occur through the actions of chambers of commerce and business associations with their national companies, governments and institutions, but there is a Europe-wide dimension - notably the institutions of the EU.

The Members of the EIBA propose to:

  • Promote the importance of the Iran market to European companies, institutions and decision-makers.
  • Explain to interested parties in Europe how the Iranian market works now.
  • Explain the restraints on commerce.
  • Co-operate to focus available EU resources for business with Iran.
  • Determine what matters are of joint concern or interest to all EIBA Members. Today these include: banking and payments; authorisation procedures, where there is an European dimension; and the impact of the US authorities on European trade. This will allow Europe to consider what policies are necessary to provide a level playing field of European commerce in its dealings with Iran.

A Declaration

Preamble.

Iran is presently subject to unprecedented economic sanctions. They are very damaging for the economic wellbeing of Iran and its people, despite explicit European Union intentions to avoid general damage to the population.

Today, the negotiations on the nuclear dispute appear to have a real chance of success. Iranian and US diplomats are negotiating directly. Despite the exceptional economic and demographic potential of Iran, its economic recovery from sanctions will be long and difficult. Although the crisis can only be resolved politically, Iranian and international companies will be the main parties in Iran's economic and social renewal because they have the resources, the know-how, the experience and the pragmatism to bring about the necessary revitalization. It is therefore urgent to prepare for the prospect of improved political relations.

European companies have an excellent reputation in Iran and until recently Europe enjoyed the pre-eminent commercial partnership with Iran. During the period of EU sanctions, Asian companies have taken a prime position. Leading US companies are presently actively laying the ground for a massive and imminent return to Iran. The actions of OFAC (the US Office of Foreign Asset Control) and other US agencies have created significant extra-territorial hurdles for European companies. The constraints on the European banking sector are a dramatic example of this.

To be effective during this critical period, national European organisations (the National Organisations) need to cooperate, share information and help focus available EU resources in order to promote European commercial interests, all within the framework of EU trade regulations on Iran.

The undersigned declare their intention to form the European-Iranian Business Alliance to help reverse the decline in EU-Iran trade of recent times.

Foundation

  1. The European-Iranian Business Alliance, referred to as "EIBA", will be an unincorporated alliance of the National Organisations (such as the European national chambers of commerce for Iran) whose sole purpose is the understanding and promotion of trade in goods and services, commerce and investment with Iran
  2. The Founding Members are: Deutsch-Iranische Handelskammer e. V (DIHKEV) Germany, Le Cercle Iran Economie (CIE) France, and the British-Iranian Chamber of Commerce (BICC) UK.
  3. Other similar European National Organisations will be invited to join EIBA.

Objects

  1. The objects of the EIBA are:
  • To improve efficiency in business by promoting cooperation between the National Organisations and among European companies by sharing information and experience.
  • To help European commerce to regain the pre-eminent commercial relationship with Iran it enjoyed mid way through the first decade of the 21st century.
  • To do this through contact with national and European institutions such as the European Commission and Parliament and other European organisations.
  • To explain the significance of Iran for European national commercial interests; to seek support for easing restrictions on commerce between Iran and European countries; to provide information for business with Iran and to seek financial or other support for commerce with Iran.
  • It is not intended to interface with Iran through EIBA, rather this is to be retained by the National Organisations.
  • To determine what matters are of joint concern or interest to all the National Organisations and then to promote understanding of them in the Europe. Today these include: banking and payments; authorization procedures, where there is an European dimension; and impact of the US authorities on European trade.
  • To provide information and analysis for European companies interested in the Iranian market and to hold joint seminars where there is an EU-wide interest among companies for such seminars.

Activities

  1. The initial activities are to include:
  • To inform national governments and European institutions, Iran and the media of the creation, the objectives and the activities of EIBA.
  • To make initial contact with national and European policy makers, as seems appropriate, having determined a list of subjects to be raised.
  • To distribute details of the meetings of the EIBA National Organisations to other members of the EIBA so that they might attend each other's events.
  • To hold a joint seminar for those industries able to export under European Union regulations, including the humanitarian, medical, pharmaceutical, auto and aircraft spares industries.

This Declaration was signed 6th February 2015 by the following:

Nigel Coulthard, Président CIE

Michael Tockuss, Geschäftsführendes Vorstandsmitglied DIHKEV

Martin Johnston, Director General BICC