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Practical steps to take in order to get ready for the potential opening of the Iranian market
15 December 2015
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Introduction and agenda
Understanding the general Iranian legal framework and landscape - Cyrus Shafizadeh (Partner), Atieh Associates
Understanding how your specific industry operates and mapping the political landscape - Ralph Stobwasser (Managing Director), Deloitte Corporate Finance Limited
Commercial and legal due diligence – Adrian Nizzola (Partner) and Samir Safar-Aly (Associate), Simmons & Simmons
Business Basics and Cultural Dos and Don'ts - Cyrus Shafizadeh (Partner), Atieh Associates
Questions and answers
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Understanding the general Iranian legal framework and landscape
Cyrus Shafizadeh, Partner, Atieh Associates
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What can be done pending the removal of Sanctions?
Ensure compliance with your local law
Possibilities are: – Do nothing – Prepare for the eventual structure through market studies etc. but not
implement until the sanctions are lifted – Implement structure but not activate until sanctions are lifted
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Possible structures
Distributor / Agent
Branch / Representative Office
Company
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Distributor / Agent
Appoint distributor / agent with condition precedent that sanctions are removed
Depending on the sector, distributor / product may be required to be registered
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Registration of local presence
Prepare documents required for registration but do nothing until sanctions are lifted
Register a local presence but keep inactive until sanctions are lifted
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Registration of corporate structures
The registration of any of the corporate structures requires a number of foreign sourced documents
In order for the documents to be used before Iranian authorities, these need to undergo a legalisation process
The legalisation process may be time consuming
Legalisation would involve: – Notarisation – Apostille – Stamping by the Iranian Consulate – Stamping by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Official translation in Iran – Stamp by the Judiciary
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Documents required – Branch
Application for Registration
A brief report on Company's intended activities in Iran justifying the necessity of the registration of the branch
A letter of undertaking to be signed by the representative undertaking to dissolve the branch if the activities of the company should be prohibited
Constitutional documents (articles of association, certificate of registration etc.)
Latest audited financial reports
The minutes of meeting authorising the establishment of the branch in Iran introducing the representative of the branch office and identifying his domain of authority
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Documents required – Branch (2)
Power of attorney on behalf of the foreign company to the representative in Iran with full power of registration of the branch with the right of delegation of the power.
A certificate confirming that the representative does not have a criminal record issued by the authorities of the country of his origin
The last five documents need to be legalised
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Documents required – Companies
Application for registration
Minutes of the founders' meeting of the local company
Minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors of the local company
Articles of association of the local company
Memorandum of association of the company (limited liability company only)
Identification documents of the founders / directors including: – Passport copies – Certificate of registration – Articles of association – Police certificates for all directors / managing director
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Documents required – Companies (2)
Powers of attorney (possibly) from: – Directors to be appointed – Corporate shareholder / directors
The documents listed in the last two bullet points have to be legalised
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Companies – usual structures Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Two members minimum
Capital divided into stock
Board of directors optional
Directors need not be members
Liability limited
Liability of member unlimited if named in LLC
Foreign directors / managers allowed
Private Joint Stock Company (PJSC)
Three shareholders minimum
Capital divided into shares
Board of directors (minimum two) and statutory inspector mandatory
Directors must be shareholders
Liability limited
Foreign directors / managers allowed
11
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Performing registration remotely?
Entirely possible to register a presence remotely
Directors need not be resident
Managing director need only obtain a residence / work permit once the entity becomes commercially active
No need to enter Iran until the company becomes commercially active (required for opening bank accounts)
Reservation – An address will be required for any registration – A tax file must be opened by the end of the fiscal year of the entity
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Iranian Intellectual Property Landscape Main legislation is the Law on the Registration of Patents, Industrial Designs, and
Trademarks 2009 and its Implementing Regulation 2009
The IP Law protects: – Trademarks – Patents – Industrial Designs
Crucially, copyright is not protected to any meaningful degree
Iran has ratified: – The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property 1883 – Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks of 1891
together with its Protocol (1989) (Madrid Convention)
Ensure that trademarks, patents and designs are protected pending the lifting of sanctions
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Tax
Corporate tax rate of 25% on taxable income
VAT at 9%
Salary tax – Exempt - Up to Rls. 124m (approx. USD 4,120) – 10% - Rls. 124 million to Rls. 966m (approx. USD 4,120 – USD 32,100) – 20% - On any amount over Rls. 966m (approx. USD 32,100 onwards)
Foreign personnel taxed on the basis of a deemed income
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Employment
A locally registered entity may employ domestic and expatriate staff
No need to register local entity to employ staff from outside of Iran (but who are located in Iran)
Understanding how your specific industry operates and mapping the political landscape
Ralph Stobwasser, Managing Director, Deloitte Corporate Finance Limited
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Talking points
Economic Sectors
Political landscape
Business risks
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Economic sectors - what’s changing?
Automotive Commercial aerospace
Energy (oil & gas) & petrochemicals
Financial Banking & Insurance
Gold, other precious metals,
banknotes & coinage
Graphite & raw or semi-finished metals (e.g.,
aluminum, steel)
Shipping, shipbuilding,
ports & transportation
Technology and software
Food, medicine, and medical
products Agricultural
commodities
Internet and personal
communications
Previously Authorised:
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The Political Landscape The Iranian economy is dominated by the public and parastatal enterprises. Indirect
subsidies accounted for 27% of GDP in 2007/2008 and are a target area of reform
The reach of parastatals and in particular the IRGC into the Iranian economy has been growing since the 1990s and further expanded under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency. The IRGC are Iran’s most powerful security and military body, as well as its most influential economic player, with a non-transparent control over an extended network of state or quasi-state companies
With sanctions lifted, the government plans to focus on reform of state-owned enterprises, reform of the banking and financial sector, improving science and technology, and allocating oil revenues to policy priorities
Assuming everything stays on track to lifting of sanctions, reformists and centrists are expected to dominate the upcoming parliament (to be elected in early 2016). This would give Rouhani’s administration more support to boost the economic reform agenda and support foreign investment
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Business risks Compliance challenges due to majority of US sanctions not being removed –
inconsistencies between US and EU sanctions will continue
Business transparency, corruption and intellectual property law matters, as well as complying to AML and CFT legislation in Iran remain an issue
IRGC is a major force in Iran’s economy; their influence in various sectors is unclear
Political establishment in Iran will be supportive of foreign investment and foreign know-how in key priority sectors (O&G, mining, infrastructure, manufacturing etc.) but there may be political resistance to proliferation of Western brands
Iran’s banking system is fragmented and in a weak position due to years of state-involvement, weak governance and little competition coupled with sanctions have left Iranian banks in a weak position
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Business risks (2)
Re-entry into SWIFT requires a complicated application process, as well as technical, legal and regulatory input
Uncertainty about type of scenarios that can trigger “snapback”
Commercial and legal due diligence
Adrian Nizzola, Partner, Simmons & Simmons
Samir Safar-Aly, Associate, Simmons & Simmons
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Contents
JCPOA (Recap)
Recent Developments
JCPOA practical implications to consider
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (1) A Joint Plan of Action ("JPOA") was signed in Geneva between the UK, China,
France, Germany, Russia and the US (EU+3) and Iran on 23 November 2013
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") was signed between the EU+3 and Iran on 14 July 2015
Under the JCPOA, UN, US and EU sanctions will begin to be relaxed once there is an IAEA-verified implementation of agreed nuclear-related measures outlined under the JCPOA (what is being referred to as 'Implementation Day')
UN Security Council ("UNSC") sanctions
The proposed lifting of UNSC sanctions applies only to UNSC sanctions relating to the Iranian nuclear issue
The UNSC passed a resolution, Resolution 2231 (2015), endorsing the JCPOA on 20 July 2015
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (2) Specifically, the JCPOA proposed to lift UNSC sanctions provided for under
UNSC Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), 1929 (2010) and 2224 (2015)
UNSC Resolution 1929 (2010) – This resolution was key for its assertion that Iran's energy, financial and
other sectors of the Iranian economy supports Iran's nuclear programme – Calls for voluntary restraint on sanctions with Iranian banks, particularly
Bank Melli and Bank Saderat – Calls for vigilance on international lending to Iran and providing trade credits
and other financing
UNSC Resolutions 1737 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010) – Freezes the assets of Iranian persons and entities names in the annexes
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (3) EU sanctions The relevant EU sanctions to be lifted are:
– transfers of funds between EU persons and entities, including financial institutions, and Iranian persons and entities, including financial institutions
– banking activities, including the establishment of new correspondent banking relationships and the opening of new branches and subsidiaries of Iranian banks in the territories of EU Member States
– provision of insurance and reinsurance – supply of specialised financial messaging services, including SWIFT, for
persons and entities set out the JCPOA, including the Central Bank of Iran and Iranian financial institutions
– financial support for trade with Iran (export credit, guarantees or insurance) – commitments for grants, financial assistance and concessional loans to the
Government of Iran
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (4)
– transactions in public or public-guaranteed bonds – import and transport of Iranian oil, petroleum products, gas and
petrochemical products – export of key equipment or technology for the oil, gas and petrochemical
sectors – investment in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors – export of key naval equipment and technology – design and construction of cargo vessels and oil tankers – provision of flagging and classification services – access to EU airports of Iranian cargo flights
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (5) The relevant EU sanctions to be lifted are:
– export of gold, precious metals and diamonds – delivery of Iranian banknotes and coinage – export of graphite, raw or semi-finished metals such as aluminium and steel,
and export or software for integrating industrial processes – designation of persons, entities and bodies (asset freeze and visa ban) set
out in the JCPOA – associated services for each of the categories above.
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (6) US sanctions
The US will cease the application of sanctions covering: – financial and banking transactions with Iranian banks and financial
institutions as specified in the JCPOA, including the Central Bank of Iran and specified individuals and entities identified as 'Government of Iran' by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") SDN List, as set out in JCPOA (including the opening and maintenance of correspondent and payable through-accounts at non-US financial institutions, investments, foreign exchange transactions and letters of credit)
– transactions in Iranian Rial – provision of US banknotes to the Government of Iran – bilateral trade limitations on Iranian revenues abroad, including limitations
on their transfer
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (Recap) (7)
– purchase, subscription to, or facilitation of the issuance of Iranian sovereign debt, including governmental bonds
– financial messaging services to the Central Bank of Iran and Iranian financial institutions set out in the JCPOA
– underwriting services, insurance, or reinsurance – efforts to reduce Iran's crude oil sales – investment, including participation in joint ventures, goods, services,
information, technology and technical expertise and support for Iran's oil, gas and petrochemical sectors
– purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of petroleum, petrochemical products and natural gas from Iran
– export, sale or provision of refined petroleum products and petrochemical products to Iran
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (8)
The US will cease the application of sanctions covering: – transactions with Iran's energy sector – transactions with Iran's shipping and shipbuilding sectors and port operators – trade in gold and other precious metals – trade with Iran in graphite, raw or semi-finished metals such as aluminium
and steel, coal, and software for integrating industrial processes – sale, supply or transfer of goods and services used in connection with Iran's
automotive sector – sanctions on associated services for each of the categories above – removal of individuals and entities set out in the OFAC's Foreign Sanctions
Evaders List
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (9)
US sanctions that prohibit US firms from doing business with Iran are not affected by the JCPOA: – The US trade ban does not bar subsidiaries of US firms from dealing with
Iran – as long as the subsidiary has no operational relationship to – or control by – the parent company, discussed further below
– Foreign subsidiaries are considered foreign persons and are subject to the laws where incorporated
– US trade sanctions apply to foreign subsidiaries if: – the subsidiary is more than 50% owned by the US parent; – the parent firm holds a majority on the subsidiary's board of directors; or – the parent firm directs the operations of the subsidiary
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (10)
The US Government will however license non-US persons that are owned or controlled by a US person to engage in activities with Iran consistent with the JCPOA and license the importation into the US of Iranian origin carpets and foodstuffs and sales to Iran of commercial aircraft. The OFAC has stated that they will provide further guidance on the JCPOA closer to 'Implementation Day'
The US sanctions that are to be suspended are primarily those that sanction foreign entities and countries for conducting specified transactions with Iran. US sanctions that generally prohibit US firms from conducting transactions with Iran are not being altered under the JCPOA. However, the JCPOA does commit the US to license the sale to Iran of commercial aircraft, and the importation of Iranian luxury goods such as carpets, caviar, and some fruits and nuts
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (11) Under the JCPOA, the US is to revoke the designations made under various
Presidential Executive Orders of numerous Iranian economic entities and personalities, including the National Iranian Oil Company ("NIOC"), various Iranian banks, and many energy and shipping-related institutions. This includes several ships and planes. That step would enable foreign companies to resume transactions with those Iranian entities without risk of being penalised by the US
Not all US sanctions will be lifted, only those relating to nuclear proliferation, e.g. the embargoes on exporting arms and missiles to Iran will remain for five and eight years respectively, and will apply to all UN members as well. US sanctions to remain in place include those, amongst others, under: – the OFAC-issued Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations; – Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act; – Iran-North Korea-Syria Non-Proliferation Act; and – certain provisions of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and
Divestment Act of 2010 ("CISADA") and the Iran Threat Reduction and Syrian Human rights Act
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (12) Iran’s commitments
Under the JCPOA, Iran's commitments include: – imposing limitations on uranium enrichment and uranium enrichment
activities (including research and development) for the first eight years, followed by enrichment at a reasonable pace strictly for peaceful purposes
– redesigning and rebuilding the Arak reactor and Fordow facility to be used for peaceful functions
– maintaining its uranium stockpile under 300kg of up to 3.67% enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6 - used in the uranium enrichment process)
– clarifying past and present outstanding issues relating to its nuclear program with IAEA
– allowing the IAEA to monitor voluntary transparency measures stated in the JCOPA:
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (13)
– a long-term IAEA presence in Iran; – IAEA monitoring of uranium-ore concentrate produced by Iran from all
uranium-ore concentrate plants for the next 25 years; – containment and surveillance of centrifuge rotors and bellows for the
next 20 years; – use of IAEA approved and certified modern technologies including on-
line enrichment measurements and electronic seals; and – commitment to a reliable dispute resolution mechanism to ensure a
speedy resolution of IAEA access concerns for the next 15 years
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The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA") (14) JCOA Timeline:
Adoption Day
18 October 2015
Implementation Day
Q1/Q2 2016
Termination Day 2025 or
2026
Transition Day 2023 or
2024
Endorsement by UNSC
20 July 2015
90 Days
8 Years 10 Years
Submit to US Congress
19 July 2015
10-day window for US Congress to override the
Presidential veto
82 Days
'Implementation Day' will occur once
the Iranian Parliament has
reviewed or ratified the JCPOA and,
importantly, when the IAEA issues a
report verifying that Iran has indeed implemented its nuclear related
obligations
Any remaining nuclear related sanctions on Iran will be removed
Iran will also have to abide with additional
enhanced inspections and 'Transition Day' will
only occur once the IAEA issues a report stating
that all nuclear materials in Iran remain in use for
peaceful activities.
On 'Transition Day‘, the EU will terminate all
remaining proliferation-related sanctions
Provided that no UNSC sanctions
have been reinstated.
This date marks the termination of the
JCPOA, closing the file related to the
Iranian nuclear issue
Duration for US Congress to review or approve
JCPOA
The initial vote for disapproval
of the bill implementing the JCPOA
17 September
2015
Finalisation Day
14 July 2015
12-day window for Presidential
veto against any disapproval by
the US Congress
29 September
2015
60 Days
12 Days 10 Days
9 October 2015
CURRENT STAGE
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Recent Developments
US – Continuing Opposition
US – Guidance
US – Enforcement
US – Conditional Waivers
EU – Conditional Waivers
Iran – JCPOA Obligations
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Recent Developments (1)
US – Continuing Opposition – Still a number of pending proposed legislation opposing the JCPOA. US
President has restated JCPOA support and right to use veto powers
US – Guidance – OFAC and US Treasury issued guidance. Sanctions still remain in place until
Implementation Day. The US Government will continue to "vigorously enforce" its sanctions regime.
– Could extend to contracts signed contingent on implementation of JCPOA, e.g. counterparties on OFAC's SDN List.
US – Enforcement (recent) – 7 August: Oil and Gas Field Services Company – USD 155m plus USD 77.5m
(OFAC) – 4 November: International Bank – USD 258m (NYDFS) and USD 58m (Federal
Reserve)
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Recent Developments (2) US – Conditional Waivers
– Issued by the US Secretary of State on 18 October – Covers US JCPOA obligations. Lifting of US nuclear-related sanctions on:
– Transactions by non-US Persons – Transactions by US Persons for the sale of commercial aircraft and spare
parts, with OFAC licence – Foreign financial institutions, underwriters, insurers – (provided not with am individual/entity on OFAC's SDN List)
EU – Conditional Waivers – EU Council Resolutions and Decisions issued on 18 October – Covers EU JCPOA obligations – Certain export/import items/services will still require authorisation
Iran – JCPOA Obligations – Continuing Opposition – Q1/Q2 2016?
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JCPOA practical implications to consider (1)
Not much will change for US persons – JCPOA targets secondary US sanctions on non-US entities
Primary US sanctions will remain in place
A non-US entity is encompassed by the prohibition if a US person: – holds 50% or more of the equity interests in the non-US entity, measured by
voting rights or value; – has appointed a majority of the non-US entity's directors; or – otherwise "controls the actions, policies, or personnel decisions" of the non-
US entity
No USD clearing transactions will be allowed to take place with US clearing banks
"Snap-back" implications
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JCPOA practical implications to consider (2) – "Snap-back"
Dispute Resolution Mechanism and "snap-back"
a procedure to ensure that both the E3/EU+3 and Iran uphold their commitments drawn
out under the JCPOA
Process and timeline:
Issue is discussed by Joint
Commission consisting of
representatives from both the
E3/EU+3 and Iran
Step One Step Two Step Three
The ministers of foreign affairs of each JCPOA to consider issue
Joint Commission may consider the Advisory Board's
opinion 15 days 15 days 5 days
UNSC to consider issuing
resolution to continue sanction
relief
30 days
Step Four
UNSC Sanctions 'snap-back' if no UNSC resolution
Issue may be referred to an Advisory Board consisting of three members (one from either side of the complaint and a third independent member) to provide non-binding opinion
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JCPOA practical implications to consider (3) The commercial risk of doing business in Iran is in effect that sanctions could be
reinstated at no more than 65 days' notice
The JCPOA only refers to UNSC sanctions with regards to the 'snap-back' mechanism, and does not make specific provisions relating to EU or US sanctions. However, the ability of complaining parties to cease performing JCPOA commitments suggest parties could unilaterally re-impose sanctions
Due to "snap-back" mechanism, non-US subsidiaries of US entities should develop a documented wind-down strategy
Incorporate appropriate provisions in longer term contracts
Maintenance of pre-JCPOA policies in case of "snap-back"
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JCPOA practical implications to consider (4)
Commercial and legal due diligence – Ensure not doing business with the IRGC, IRGC affiliates and sanctioned
individuals/entities – Possible that OFAC will be more vigorously identifying IRGC affiliates and
sanctioned individuals/entities – Likely increased scrutiny of transactions and account activities with
correspondent EU banks who are transacting with Iran – Recent OFAC "False Hit List" Guidance Note implications
Current draft legislation in Congress to designate the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and to lower OFAC ownership threshold of an IRGC-owned entity from 50% to 20%
If successful, persons providing material support or resources to the IRGC could be subject to criminal prosecution
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JCPOA practical implications to consider (5)
Maximum sentence: 15 years (potentially more)
Applies extra-territorially to all persons worldwide (a provision that has been challenged, but was upheld in a Federal Court in 2011)
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Contract Negotiations
Patience is key – negotiations can become long winded and must be preceded with a trust building exercise
Long negotiations are not a bad sign, it may indicate that the Iranian partner is taking the matter seriously – if anything, beware of short negotiations
Do not assume that it works in the same way as in your country - every country has its own way of doing things
Language barriers could hinder negotiations - make sure you have a good interpreter (or lawyer!)
Do not over-explain as it may come across as condescending
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Visas
The nationals of some countries can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival
There is available a procedure for a 72 hour (or longer) business visa to be obtained within 48 hours or so involving an invitation by a local sponsor submitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Please check requirements with the local Consulate before travel
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Travel and Accommodation Not many airlines fly to Iran so connections may sometimes be complicated –
flights often also arrive in the middle of the night
For domestic travel, the airline fleet is rather aged and nervous fliers could consider trains, buses or hired drivers depending on where they are travelling to
Traffic in Tehran can be atrocious at time and during peak hours
Iranian cities have insufficient hotel space and during the current period, the better ones are full – therefore plan ahead
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Personal
Iranian social etiquette is very formal – do not take this as a bad sign
Do not offer to shake hands with women and shake only when a hand is offered.
Ladies should comply with Islamic dress code but don’t rush to buy a Burqa – it is not nearly as strict as people perceive
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General
Do not bring alcohol into the country
Try to explore the country – most of what makes the country special occurs when you dig under the surface – it gives also a better understanding of your partners – if you are traveling over the next few months, bring your ski kit
North Tehran has a slightly cooler climate (so more pleasant during the summer) and is perceived to be nicer – going to meetings can however take longer as most offices are downtown
Be prepared to drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of fruit, nuts and kebabs
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Questions
Practical steps to take in order to get ready for the potential opening of the Iranian market
15 December 2015
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Important notice
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