Economy

By the Book

Legal

Milani Law Firm underlines the key points for international investors keen on pursuing opportunities in Iran.

Foreign investment in Iran is permitted in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations of the country. All foreign investors are permitted to invest for the purpose of development and producing activities in all areas of industry, mining, agriculture, and services. However, from the standpoint of the Iranian government, only those investments that have obtained the required license under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPPA) shall be eligible to enjoy the privileges and protections under the FIPPA.

What should be the main objectives of foreign investment?

The main objectives are:
• Enhancing economic growth;
• Increasing employment opportunities;
• Access to and development of new technologies and managerial skills; and
• Upgrading quality of products and boosting export capabilities.

Under what legal or contractual framework may foreign investment be admitted into Iran?

Foreign investment in Iran is admitted under all forms of legal participation (foreign direct investment) and/or contractual arrangements. By contractual arrangements, we mean all forms of project financing methods within the framework of civil participation, buyback arrangements, and different types of Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) schemes.

How do you define foreign investment?

Foreign investment is defined as employment of capital in an activity in which a level of risk is involved. FIPPA classifies foreign investment under two broad categories:

a) Legal participation (direct investment) is defined as a direct involvement of a foreign investor in the equity capital of a new or existing Iranian company. There is no restriction on the level of shareholding as well as percentage of shares belonging to foreign investors in Iranian companies. The right of foreign investor to run and control a company emanates from and is dependent upon his direct contribution in the equity capital of the concerned company.

b) Contractual arrangements are defined as a set of mechanisms under which the utilization of foreign capital is solely based on agreements reached by the parties to a contract. In other words, the rights of the foreign investor is not yielded with his direct participation in the capital of the recipient Iranian firm, but through the arrangements agreed upon under a contract. This type of investment may be carried out in all sectors of economy. Under contractual arrangements, the return of capital and accrued profits have to be sourced only out of the economic performance of the project in which the investment is made without being dependent upon a repayment guarantee by the government, by the banking system as well as state owned companies.

In what sectors is foreign direct investment permissible?

Foreign direct investment is permissible in all areas open to Iranian private sector.

In what sectors is foreign investment under contractual arrangement permissible?
Foreign investment under contractual arrangement is permissible in all sectors of economy. However, foreign investment in sectors reserved for the government may only be carried out under contractual arrangements.

What legal structure do you recommend for foreign investment?

There are seven types of juridical entities or companies that can be established under the Iranian Commerce Code. From among all these different types, Joint Stock Company, in which the capital is divided by shares, is the most common and acceptable type of company that is recommended for foreign investors.

Is it obligatory to have local partner(s)?

It is by no means obligatory to have local partner, though in most cases foreign investors themselves are willing to benefit from partnering with local businesses for the reason that they are more familiar with the business environment, regulatory and administrative requirements, and opportunities locally available.

Is there a ceiling for foreign investment in Iran?

There is no minimum and maximum for foreign investment in respect of percentage of shareholding, nor is any restriction on the amount of investment for foreign investment in Iran.

If there are no restrictions imposed in Iran, then what do the ratios of 25% and 35% referred to in Para (d) of Article (2) of FIPPA refer to?

The ratios referred to in the said para have nothing to do with the shareholding percentage of foreign investors in a single investment case. As formerly explained, there is no restriction imposed on Iranian companies with respect to the ceiling of foreign participation. In fact, these ratios illustrate the proportion given to the value of goods and services produced by foreign investment in the global economy in each sector and subsector respectively, verified at the time of issuance of the foreign investment license (i.e., value of foreign products in GDP).

Is foreign investment permissible in oil and gas upstream activities?

Foreign investment in oil and gas upstream activities within the framework of contractual arrangements is permissible, though foreign direct investment (FDI) in such areas is not permitted.

Is it permissible to use foreign trademarks and names in foreign investments?

Application of trademarks and names is permissible in all areas of economic activity.

Is foreign investment allowed in companies listed on the stock exchange?

There is no restriction for investment in companies listed on the stock market. Foreign investment in these companies is eligible to enjoy the protections available under FIPPA, in the same manner as is available to foreign investment outside the stock market.

How do you define special economic zones in Iran and in which areas of the country have these so-called zones been established?

Special economic zones are restricted customs areas in which imports of goods, machinery, and equipment are not subject to general import/export regulations. The zones may have been established for different reasons and objectives. Some of them are established for the purpose of warehousing whereas others, in addition to warehousing of goods, are designed for setting up processing and production line. At present the total number of special economic zones is 17.

Are there any differences between investments made in free trade industrial zones, special economic zones, and the mainland?

Investments in free zones are subjected to especial regulations governing such investments. Iranian free zones at present comprise six areas: Gheshm, Kish, Chahbahar, Arwand, Aras, and Bandar Anzali. Areas known as special economic zones are part of the mainland in which all investments are considered to be investments on the mainland. Taking into consideration the applicability of Foreign Investment Law to the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, all foreign investments realized in free trade and industrial zones may also enjoy the privileges of FIPPA, provided that the relevant formalities for obtaining the investment license have been followed.

What do the terms “Iranian company” and “foreign company” mean from the standpoint of Iranian laws and regulations?
The term Iranian company refers to a company incorporated and registered in Iran according to the Iranian Commerce Code, even if 100% percent of its shares or stocks belong to foreign individuals or legal entities. The term foreign company refers to a company incorporated and registered outside of Iran.

Is it possible for foreign companies to establish legal bases in the form of branches or representative offices in Iran?
This is possible. Any foreign company, for the purpose of expanding its commercial activities, performing its contractual obligations, carrying out marketing activities, and more may establish a legal permanent base in the form of branch or representative office in Iran. To establish a branch or representative office, certain procedures should be followed under the Law for Establishing Branches and Representative Offices. For this purpose, applicants are advised to refer to the General Directorate for Registration of Companies and Industrial Property.

Is the establishment of branch or representative offices considered as foreign investment?

Establishing a branch or representative office is not considered as foreign investment. In fact, foreign investment can be realized by way of establishing a new Iranian company, participating in an existing Iranian company, and/or entering into contractual arrangements with Iranian recipient entities.

What are the features of industrial estates and what facilities are available in those areas?

Industrial estates are prefabricated estates designed and constructed by the Industrial Estates Company of Iran, affiliated to the Ministry of Industry and Mines, readily available for investors in all industrial poles throughout the country. Even in certain estates, factories and industrial workshops are offered for purchase. The important feature of these estates is the ready availability of infrastructural utilities such as water, power, gas, telephone, and quick access to the main transportation network of the country.

You may also be interested in...

Transport

4 Maritime Bottlenecks

Logistics Chokepoints of Global Trade

View More

Tourism

Taste of Cherry

Iran’s Film Industry

View More

Diplomacy

Iran Sanctions Return

US Pressure Affects Trade

View More

Finance

Iran’s Cautious Growth

Capital Markets Trading On

View More
Nuts & Bolts

Economy

Nuts & Bolts

Doing Business

View More
20 by 2025

Tourism

20 by 2025

International Tourism

View More
Reforms Under Fire

Health & Education

Reforms Under Fire

Women in Education

View More
Back to School

Health & Education

Back to School

Education

View More
Won’t You Take Me to… Barkat Town

Health & Education

Won’t You Take Me to… Barkat Town

Pharmaceuticals

View More
A clean bill

Health & Education

A clean bill

Health

View More
View All Articles