ID :
59387
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 14:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/59387
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German companies urge Merkel gov't to unblock Iran trade
Head of German mid-size companies here Wednesday slammed ongoing government efforts to block trade expansion with Iran.
The influential President of the Federation of German Mid-Size Companies Mario Ohoven said during a German-Iranian business meeting in Berlin his group would step up pressure on German decision-makers to end their blockade tactics over trade with Iran.
He added that bilateral trade volume had a potential of reaching 20 billion euros, if there was no interference by the German government to slow down the growth of economic relations between Tehran and Berlin.
He announced plans for a visit of a high-ranking German business delegation to Iran in the near future aimed at further promoting bilateral trade.
German exports to Iran are vital to the continued blossoming of mainly small and mid-size German companies that are the backbone of Germany's export strength.
Trade relations between Germany and Iran have flourished in 2008 despite the imposition of western sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program.
German exports to Iran surged 10 percent to reach around four billion euros last year.
Faced with the worst recession in 60 years, German companies have been furious at Chancellor Angela Merkel for bowing down to US and Israeli pressure to tighten Berlin's sanctions against Tehran.
They are afraid of losing Iran's lucrative market to major competitors from France, Spain, Italy, China, Russia, and India, to Malaysia and other east Asian countries.
End
The influential President of the Federation of German Mid-Size Companies Mario Ohoven said during a German-Iranian business meeting in Berlin his group would step up pressure on German decision-makers to end their blockade tactics over trade with Iran.
He added that bilateral trade volume had a potential of reaching 20 billion euros, if there was no interference by the German government to slow down the growth of economic relations between Tehran and Berlin.
He announced plans for a visit of a high-ranking German business delegation to Iran in the near future aimed at further promoting bilateral trade.
German exports to Iran are vital to the continued blossoming of mainly small and mid-size German companies that are the backbone of Germany's export strength.
Trade relations between Germany and Iran have flourished in 2008 despite the imposition of western sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program.
German exports to Iran surged 10 percent to reach around four billion euros last year.
Faced with the worst recession in 60 years, German companies have been furious at Chancellor Angela Merkel for bowing down to US and Israeli pressure to tighten Berlin's sanctions against Tehran.
They are afraid of losing Iran's lucrative market to major competitors from France, Spain, Italy, China, Russia, and India, to Malaysia and other east Asian countries.
End
