The Middle East Association is delighted to be holding an Iran Business Briefing on Thursday, 13 May at Bury House. 

Sadly UK businesses are facing many problems in dealing with Iran, although British exports there are holding up surprisingly well.  Iranian businessmen are keen to engage with the UK but there are now tremendous challenges facing anyone who is thinking of doing business with Iran.  However, the greatest challenge of all is in keeping in touch and looking beyond the current political difficulties.  British companies who are interested in learning more about doing business with this fascinating country would be welcome to join us at this briefing.
 
Iran is a country rich in human and natural resources. With a population of over 70 million, the world’s fifth largest oil reserves and the second largest gas reserves, this country holds huge potential for UK  companies. Iran possesses enormous and often untapped mineral resources including 19% of the world’s copper. It also has the advantage of a broad domestic industrial base, a well educated and a highly motivated workforce, and a strategic location which gives it access to an estimated 300 million people in the Caspian markets, Persian Gulf States and countries further east. The main opportunities for investment and trade are in oil and gas, transport, construction, agriculture and manufacturing.

Iran remains in the shadows of British exports and there has been little information available on doing business with Iran. This briefing, led by British and Iranian experts, aims to shed light on the practical issues of working with Iran . During the panel session we will examine the opportunities for British companies, as well as the challenges and the prospects for stability and economic development. Please see the confirmed speakers:
 
Speakers:
· Michael Thomas, Director General, Middle East Association
· David Butter, Middle East Regional Director,  Economist Intelligence Unit
· Alan Rides, Group Director, Alperton
· Dr Ahmed Azizi, Managing Director, Melli Bank
· Christopher Chew, Head General Policy, Export Control Organisation