More German mid-size companies eager to enter Iran's market: daily

Berlin, Sep 25, IRNA -- A growing number of German mid-size companies are trying to enter the lucrative Iranian market amid western sanctions, the Berlin-based daily Der Tagesspiegel reported Saturday.

There is a shift in German business ties with Iran from big to mid-size companies, according to the head of the German-Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Michael Tockuss.

German exports to Iran rose significantly during the first half of this year despite the imposition of sanctions over Tehran's nuclear policy.

German companies sold goods worth 1.85 billion euros to Iran, primarily machines, chemical products and metal during the first six months of this year, up by 14 percent from the same corresponding period in 2009.

Meanwhile, imports from Iran surged 88 percent to 280 million euros.

Mid-size firms in Germany, among them many family-owned companies, feel less prone to American political pressure than large German companies which have strong business interests in the US.

Meanwhile, the business newspaper Handelsblatt reported earlier in the day that German companies have been the target of 'massive blackmailing' by the US to end their business contacts with Iran.

Exports from Germany to Iran reached 3.7 billion euros last year, according to official figures.

Germany remains an important trading partners for Iran, ranking third behind China and the United Arab Emirates in 2008.

Nearly nine percent of all Iranian imports came from Germany.

Numerous major German companies are operating in Iran, including Linde, BASF, Lurgi, Krupp, Siemens, ZF Friedrichshafen, Mercedes, Volkswagen and MAN.

Around 50 German firms have their own affiliates in Iran and more than 12,000 firms have their own trade representatives in the country.

Over 40,000 jobs in Germany are directly or indirectly affected by German- Iranian trade./end