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The British Iranian Chamber of Commerce

Geoffrey Adams

As the British Ambassador to Iran, I am glad to have the opportunity to provide a few words of welcome to the BICC and to its website.

Iran is a large, fascinating and diverse country that lies across trade routes stretching back centuries. It has a rich commercial heritage as well as vast natural resources. Iranians are well-educated, and the private business community is sophisticated and cosmopolitan.

Despite the ups and downs of the political relationship, Iran remains a good market for British products and services. Direct trade (not including the large amount that goes via Dubai and other countries) was worth around £500m in 2005. There are good opportunities in the healthcare, agribusiness, engineering, automotive and ICT sectors, as well as the flagship oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

Iranians tend to welcome British business. Many Iranians travel regularly to the UK, and know us very well. British firms have a good reputation for quality products and trustworthiness. But that does not make Iran an easy market. Bureaucracy, cultural differences and sheer hard bargaining are all challenges to be overcome in dealing with Iran.

That is where the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce comes in. The advice, contacts and facilitation services they offer can be an invaluable help to companies considering whether to do business in Iran. This website is an excellent starting point for getting in touch with those services.

The British Embassy
A History

The British Mission in Tehran was first established in 1821 in the Bagh-e-Elchi or the Old Bazaar. By the 1860’s, the overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions forced the government to look for a more suitable location. The Ferdowsi site was purchased in a spacious suburb north of the old city at a cost of 20,000 Tomans (about 8,000 Pounds).

Most famous of all the historical events associated with the embassy is the great 'bast' (meaning sanctuary) of July/August 1906 when, during the constitutional struggle, some 12-16,000 Tehranis took sanctuary in the compound and by thus paralysing the life of the city, forced Muzaffar-ud-din Shah to issue his celebrated Farman of 5 August 1906 granting the people a constitution and National Assembly.

Following the Islamic revolution in 1979, the British Embassy was placed under the protection of Sweden. In 1987, all staff were withdrawn from Tehran following a series of setbacks to relations. In November 1988, UK Foreign Minister Geoffrey Howe agreed with Iranian Foreign Minister Velayati to resume diplomatic contact. Staff returned in January of 1989. However, on 14 February 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini issued his fatwa against Salman Rushdie and his publishers. European Community Foreign Ministers agreed to withdraw their heads of mission from Tehran in response. The British Government withdrew all UK-based staff. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait made it desirable to re-establish relations once more, in September 1990. Relations have continued since then, though the UK and all other EU countries withdrew their heads of mission in April 1997 when a German court issued a verdict that members of the Iranian intelligence services were responsible for the murder of four Iranian Kurds in Germany in 1992. Heads of mission returned in November 1997 following the election of President Khatami, who showed determination to pursue the establishment of a civil society and the rule of law, and to promote wider international understanding. Britain and Iran jointly upgraded the relationship to ambassadorial status in 1999.

Official Holidays in 2010 - British Embassy, Tehran

Sunday, 3 January
In lieu of New Year’s Day

Sunday, 14 February
In lieu of Prophet Mohammad’s death

Sunday, 21 March
Noruz

Monday, 22 March
Noruz

Sunday, 4 April
Easter Sunday & in lieu of Sizde Bedar (Nature Day)

Sunday, 2 May
in lieu of May Day Bank Holiday

Thursday, 10 June
Queen’s Birthday

Sunday, 9 July
Eve of the Prophet’s call to mission

Thursday, 29 August
In lieu of August Bank Holiday

Sunday, 12 September
In lieu of Eid-e Fetr

Sunday, 3 October
In lieu of Martyrdom of Emam Sadegh

Thursday, 18 November
In lieu of Eid-e Ghorban

Thursday, 16 December
Ashura

Sunday, 26 December
In lieu of Christmas Day