Donald Trump has threatened to return to a hard-line stance against Iran. Swiss investors, eager to open a new market, may like to know what this means for them. This is what one of Switzerland's best-informed Iran experts expects to happen.
Andreas Schweitzer (pictured below) was part of the delegation led by former Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann, which visited Teheran in February 2016. The former Sarasin banker and Iran expert gave the delegation a tour of the business world in the country that has long been held back by stringent sanctions imposed by the international community because of Teheran's threats to develop nuclear weapons and to destroy Israel.
Schneider-Ammann's visit of Iran followed a certain purpose of course. When the majority of the sanctions were removed a year ago, Swiss companies were eager to quickly establish business ties. And the finance industry was prominent among firms interested in developing relationships with Iran.
Threatening Sounds From Washington
Trump's election and his promise to undo the agreement with Iran will have dampened some hopes in the Middle East – yet raised expectations among the government of Israel that the new president will return to a one-sided policy.
«It is difficult to assess Trumps Iran policy,» said Schweitzer in an interview with finews.ch. «I believe what I see.» It wasn't as easy as it seemed to simply rip up the agreements with Iran, he added.
On or Off?
The U.S. wasn't alone in easing the sanctions with Iran. Europe and Asian countries were also part of the deal. There have also been some assurances from U.S. officials that the deal would be honored.
Big global companies, such as U.S. aircraft maker Boeing, have been quick took establish their ties. «Trump is a businessman – I believe he will work to get a deal that makes him smell of roses,» Schweitzer said.
But of course, it was important to stay alert to any changes to the U.S. policy, because the world's most powerful had shown that it was capable of complicating business if it helped its own interests.
Excellent Relations Switzerland – Iran
Schweitzer has been active in Iran since 2009, working as a consultant and businessman. He says the relations between Switzerland and Iran were «very good». Switzerland in many ways was exemplary for the country on the Gulf. For instance, numerous trading agreements have been signed according to Swiss laws.
The former bankers has co-founded Arjan Capital to get a share of the new business developing after the signing of the international agreement. Arjan for instance is advising a trading fund, which accepts exports to Iran and which has already generated investments of more than 10 million francs.
Hard Work and Steady Nerves Required
He also just has launched a consultancy exclusively aimed at helping international companies in taking stakes or acquiring businesses in Iran. His customers are businesses in construction materials, media, fintech and chemicals. «We've also received business from Swiss companies,» Schweitzer added.
A promising development, but one that needs hard work. «In principal, investments in Iran require more time, more money and steady nerves than we are probably used to,» the expert says. In that sense, Iran is better suited as a market for companies than individual investors.
