Abstract

Lifting nuclear-related sanctions created high expectations in the business community about the investment opportunities in Iran and the economic growth the country would experience after many years of insulation. But getting started is proving harder than expected due to the lack of trust between foreign investors and Iranian counterparts, an opaque system, scarce liquidity, and potential retaliations from Americans. This is a great cause of concern for the Rohani government as it tries to deliver growth and jobs while at the same time it has to fend off mounting criticism from the opposition.

This presentation will focus on what has changed in Iran since the sanctions have been lifted, and how countries in Middle East are re-adjusting to the new reality. Mr Tomba will discuss on how Iran will be able to use its new-found international legitimacy to increase its dominance in the Middle East vis-à-vis the business sector. He will also propose that although other MENA countries, like the GCC and Egypt, will attempt to compete with Iran to gain control over the region, Iran should be more wary of Turkey as it is expected to become a domineering economic power in the region.