The president of Iran Chamber of Commerce has called for deeper collaboration between the Iranian and Swiss private sectors in non-sanctioned areas, saying businesses from both countries can play a key role in managing and expanding economic relations.
Samad Hassanzadeh made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran on Sunday with Switzerland’s new ambassador to Iran, Olivier Bangerter.
“Iran’s economic and industrial capacity enables it to expand ties with Switzerland across economic, cultural, social, and academic fields,” Hassanzadeh said, noting that despite extensive sanctions, Iran has made notable advances in high-tech industries, knowledge-based production, petrochemicals, polymers, and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
He added that Iran’s private sector is eager to pursue joint investments and facilitate trade between Iranian and Swiss businesses. “We believe the private sectors of both countries can play a constructive role in regulating and deepening economic exchanges,” Hassanzadeh said.
Ambassador Bangerter said his main priority during his tenure in Iran would be to enhance bilateral cooperation. “My first goal is that by the end of my mission, the level of cooperation between Iran and Switzerland will have grown,” he told the meeting.
He added that his second priority was to support Swiss companies operating in Iran, noting that bilateral trade had gradually increased over the past five years. “Swiss companies want to expand their activities in Iran,” he said, but pointed to two key challenges: access to foreign currency for imports and protection of intellectual property rights.
Banggatter also said visa rules for Swiss businesspeople had become stricter. “Previously, three-year visas were issued for entry to Iran, but now they are limited to one year,” he said, expressing hope that such issues could be resolved through further dialogue.