Mr. H.N.Safari, Chairman of IRANCHAM China-Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In contrast, Mr. H.N.Safari IRANCHAM China - Shanghai chairman said that in the year of 2015, there were 37 Chinese small and medium enterprises in total registered in the Iran Free Trade Zone, while European companies have 160 registered. He stated that it showed China enterprises still need to accelerate the pace of investment in Iran otherwise they might miss out on the favorable policy.

Consulate General of Islamic Republic of Iran in Shanghai Commercial Counsellor Mr. Ali Dehghani said that Iran's energy reserves rank the top in the world, and that there are a large number of investment demands. While in Iran and China, the economies are highly mutually complementary, China enterprises can go directly to Iran and set up factories to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises by using the energy cost advantage in Iran. Beside this, he also said that although the local population of Iran is only about 80 million, but as a regional power Iran can take advantage of neighboring countries in the Middle East with the population of 450 million. Further more, Iran is the safest country among Middle East countries allowing foreign enterprises to own 100% of shares and at the same time enjoying labor cost advantage, and the products produced in Iran can be exported freely. In finance, we are establishing cooperation with the Export -Import Bank of China. With all these support, it will provide more business opportunities for Chinese enterprises investing in Iran.

In addition, Iran also provides policy support for long-term preferential tax policies for foreign investment enterprises to enjoy long-term tax exemption.

Mr. Ali Dehghani especially mentioned that for promoting the trade and economies between Iran and China, it needs to focus on 3 points:

1. Create and develop agency Banking relationships, thus to deduct the remittance cost.

2. Improve the quality of products exported to Iran.

Although there are good quality exports, commodities and services in China it is a pity is that they are exported less to Iran. It is time to improve the product quality and it will benefit China to have a good image in the Middle East for product manufacturing.

3. Joint investment.

Iran and China can cooperate in exports and supply chains.

"The Port construction, road construction, natural gas, chemical, oil etc. many projects in Iran have been ready for China cooperation, it can provide business cooperation opportunities at any time. Please tell Chinese friends, now is the best time to invest in Iran. We welcome friends from China and enterprises to launch in Iran as soon as possible ." Mr. A. Irvash Consul General Consulate General of Islamic Republic of Iran in Shanghai added special emphasis.