Iran

Background

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces subsequently crushed westernizing liberal elements. Militant Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq over disputed territory. Key current issues affecting the country include the pace of accepting outside modernizing influences and reconciliation between clerical control of the regime and popular government participation and widespread demands for reform.

Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. President KHATAMI has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI and has indicated that he will pursue diversification of Iran's oil-reliant economy although he has made little progress toward that goal. The strong oil market in 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran's timely debt service payments. Iran's financial situation tightened in 1997 and deteriorated further in 1998 because of lower oil prices. The subsequent rise in oil prices in 1999-2000 afforded Iran fiscal breathing room but does not solve Iran's structural economic problems, including the encouragement of foreign investment.

Holidays

Jan 21* - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Feb 10* - Islamic New Year
Feb 11 - Victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution
Feb 19* - Ashoura
Mar 20 - Day of Nationalization of the Oil Industry
Mar 21 - Nowrooz (Iranian New Year)
Apr 1 - Islamic Republic Day
Apr 2 - Sizdah-bedar (Public Outing Day to end Nowrooz)
Apr 7* - Death of the Prophet and Martyrdom of Imam Hassan
Apr 21* - Prophet's Birthday and Imam Sadeq Jun 4 - Death of Imam Khomeini
Jun 5 - Anniversary of Uprising against the Shah
Aug 29* - Birthday of Iman Ali
Sep 12* - Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
Sep 30* - Birthday of Imam Mahdi
Nov 4* - Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Nov 12* - Quds Day
Nov 14-16* - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Dec 8* - Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq
Dec 23* - Birthday of Imam Reza

Ps: Muslim festivals(*) are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations.

Phone Codes

Country Code: 98
Outgoing International Code: 00

Resources

Market Research

About Islamic Republic of Iran
There is available to find out Iran's outlook on the issue of its social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation, government, duty free, health...etc.

CIA - The World Factbook - Iran
This website displays a wide range of detail information about Iran via introducing it into the different fields as its geography,people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, transnational issues.

Iran Business Sources
It provides a set of comprehensive information about business outlook of Iran.

Iran's Business Directory
This business directory brings new business opportunities for Iran Exporters , Importers , Manufacturers and new foreign investors.

Middle East Country Guides : Iran - Business Outlook
Ameinfo serves as an ultimate Middle East Business Source for the new investors seeking new business opportunities in Iran.

Doing Business in Iran
In this website, there is not only available for the investors/exporters/importers in terms of its market research or sectoral/industrial database analysis but also finding out commercial information in details about import licensing, tariffs and taxes, foreign exchange, methods of payment, pre-shipment insp. & documents, samples and advertising matter operated in Iran.

Trade Information

Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and MinesIran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines
It is official website of Iranian Chamber of Commerce that's major goal is to promote the trade relations of Iran via welcoming the new investors in Iranian business environment.

Iran & Belgium Chamber of Commerce
The main objective of Iran & Belgium Chamber of Commerce is to develop the commercial , economic and industrial relations between the two countries.

Necessary Contact Information for Iran
There is a number of associations, corporations, embassies, government ministries contact information and webpages listed related to the Iran.

US - Iran Business Council ( USIBC)
The U.S. - Iran Business Council (USIBC) is exclusively focused on promoting commercial relations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. USIBC is an information resource on US-Iranian business and trading interests.