Boasting a history of several millennia, rich natural resources, a young and highly educated workforce, and last but not least, a disdained geopolitical position, Iran is located at the crossroads of opportunities. Sharing international borders with 15 sovereign states, Iran ranks 17th in terms of geographical size and 18th in terms of population and the world, and provides access to a large market of around 600 million people across the region.
Apart from its rich oil and gas resources, Iran also has other valuable mineral reserves. With 1% of the world’s population, the country has 7% of the global mineral resources. In addition, Iran is one of the major global exporters of steel, petrochemicals, and cement.
Moreover, Iran serves as a pivotal transit corridor, facilitating the flow of goods from north to south and east to west, enabling oil swaps and integrating into global power transmission networks. Iran has also a sophisticated digital banking system, 16 million active internet users, and a diversified transportation system, comprising land, air, and maritime transport, all of which offer invaluable opportunities for growth and development. ICCIMA, Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry or so, Mines and Agriculture, is one of the world’s oldest chambers of commerce and the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Comprising 34 local chambers of commerce, 53 joint chambers of commerce with foreign countries, over 600 nationwide associations, and more than 73,000 members, the ICCIMA has a special place in Iran’s economy and offers its advisory views to numerous government agencies. In fact, the ICCIMA represents the Iranian private sector and is rightly regarded by the media, academia, state-affiliated think tanks, members of parliament, the government, and other economic stakeholders throughout the country as an important authority in business and economic matters.
The ICCIMA is an independent, non-profit institution:
Based on current legislation, the Iranian businesspeople pay a portion of their income to the ICCIMA in exchange for membership and a commercial card. The ICCIMA has a 500-member board of representatives which elects the board of directors. The board of representatives is comprised of representatives from the 34 local chambers of commerce, as well as representatives from national organizations affiliated with the chamber.
Additionally, the government is represented by 20 members in a limited form in this assembly. The ICCIMA has also established several joint chambers of commerce with foreign chambers of commerce. Local and joint chambers of commerce have their own boards of directors and are financially independent, but have an organic relationship with the ICCIMA based on specific rules and regulations.
In fact, a multilayered and pluralistic structure recognizes the ICCIMA’s board of directors as the representative of the Iranian private sector at the highest level, and expresses its own viewpoints via the institution.
ICCIMA Services to Members:
The ICCIMA offers a variety of services to its members, including Iranian importers and exporters need a commercial card to perform their services, and this service is provided in Iran by the Chamber of Commerce. The issuance of Commercial Cards, TIR Carnets, and Certificates of Origin, Commercial Consulting Services, Commercial Dispute Resolution Services, Education and Trading Services, and Research Services.
It provides the investors and business actors with various services, including providing data and analysis about the Iranian market across multiple sectors and products, communication and networking services to match potential investors with appropriate businesses across the country, holding B2B meetings, exchanging trade delegations, resolving commercial disputes, arbitration services, and assisting in solving the problems faced by investors and business people in their interaction with state agencies.
International Engagement:
The ICCIMA has continuously been host to political and economic representatives from a number of foreign countries and international organizations. Furthermore, Iran’s political representatives and commercial attachés in other countries also have constructive engagement with the ICCIMA, allowing it to facilitate the trade of Iranian businessmen with other countries.
The ICCIMA is well positioned to help those foreign business people interested in investing or trading with Iran to negotiate with their Iranian counterparts at both local and national levels. Much of this activity is carried out within the framework of the ICCIMA’s International Affairs Department and over 50 joint chambers of commerce and committees established between Iran and other countries.
