Below is excerpt of interviews conducted by the English-language paper Iran Daily with some of the visiting French officials about their future plans.
Eric Festa, the director general of Total E&P said that his company is optimistic about the latest developments in Iran’s international relations as things will open up and his company will be able to work in the country again.
“We are interested in returning to in Iran’s market when we will be allowed to do so. The removal of the embargoes, which may happen perhaps next year, will enable us to return to Iran’s market and resume our activities,” he said.
Christian Laplaud, the president and director general of Altereo an environmental and water management Company said the ground is prepared for further cooperation between French companies and Iran.
“At present, we have to choose which project is more suitable for us. We are very determined to boost collaboration. Since we do not want to make promises we cannot fulfill, we will have to carry out a comprehensive studies before selecting the projects in which we can play a supporting and useful role,” he said.
Laplaud said on Monday that he held talks with 15 Iranian company managers and officials on this issue, adding some of them were very interested in his company’s products and expertise.
We are going to sign one or perhaps two MoUs on joint ventures. In the meetings, Iranian officials sought our consultation to find solutions for a number of the country’s water problems.”
Yann Jaubert, the president and director general of Materials Technologies said Iran has highly educated people.
“So far we have had very fruitful meetings and were warmly welcomed by the Iranian authorities including ministers and those of the business community. We are very honored to be a part of this French delegation and have the chance to visit Iran.”
Iran has a huge and thriving market, he said, adding Iranian people have high expectations for their market at present.
“To gain a foothold in this market, we have to be competitive. We are here to demonstrate that French companies can provide the Iranian market with modern technologies and know and help them further develop.”
Jaubert added Iran has a large number of highly educated people with whom it is very pleasant to discuss.
“They are very easy to understand which is very important for forging strategic partnership. I am very optimistic. We have been investigating the Iranian market for more than two years now and have an Iranian agent here,' he said.
'Negotiations are currently underway with a number of companies with whom signing deals is quite probable.”
Ageromys International is a consulting firm providing European, particularly French companies, with information about Iran’s market, said Michel Makinsky, the company’s director-general and chief executive officer.
“I am working for a French think tank focusing on Iran’s economy and politics. Two years ago, I set up a small consultancy company focusing on French companies which either are already working in Iran or intend to enter the country’s market. As for investments, I advise French company owners on how to match the Iranian government’s priorities.”
The Iranian side demonstrates a strong will for cooperation, he added.
“In the meetings held so far, some Iranian firms did not have a clear and precise strategy. They are required to first identify their targets and then brief us on their goals. This is while, some mature Iranian companies have already mapped out their strategies and precisely know what they want. But some of them are simply fishing for opportunities. As for these companies, we simply changed cards and the outcomes of the meetings were not very much fruitful.”
They need to have more organizations to find a firm ground for negotiations, he underlined.
Naphto Mines Contractors is a company specializing in oil and gas sectors, power generation, mines and consulting services, said Stanislas Houel, the firm’s business development manager.
“I have been exploring Iran’s market for several years to find ways for cooperation in the said fields of activities. I am quite happy that my country has dispatched such a big delegation to Iran, showing a new interest for further collaboration with the country.”
“We are mulling over making investments in Iran’s market. It is still quite complicated for European companies to make any decisions in this regard due to the sanctions. We do not have the support of European banks in this regard. My company is exploring other possibilities through other countries.”
Iran’s market has huge potentials, he said, adding, “We need to find reliable and good partners to implement joint projects here.
Primetals Technologies supplies steel industries processing lines with the technology and knowhow for making galvanized, aniline or painted products, said François Mignard, the company’s chief executive officer.
Market development is linked to the technology, he said, adding, French companies could provide Iranian firms with modern technologies and transfer their knowledge to the country’s industrial sector in the field of metallurgy.
“We introduced the first electric arc furnace in 2006 which is used for the food industry and packaging industries. I think connections between the two countries will not remain at the level of talks.
French businessmen and diplomats are making strong efforts to resume presence in the Iranian market.
The prospect of immediate investment is a remote idea, adding, he said adding that it will take perhaps more than two years to fund any Iranian project.
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Tehran, Sept 23, IRNA – French officials were among the first who visited Iran to access the thriving post-deal market in the Islamic Republic, while companies from all over the world clamoring for access.
