While Germany traditionally used to be Iran’s major trade partner, it is now overtaken by rivals from other countries, IRNA quoted German Ambassador in Tehran, Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg, as saying on Tuesday, adding that Berlin seeks to expand its trade ties with Tehran.
“One important stumbling block to Germany’s trade with Iran is the western sanctions [imposed on Iran over its nuclear energy program]. But, one also has to acknowledge that China is playing a significant role in the global trade,” the German envoy said in a meeting with the governor of Khorasan Razavi Province, Ali-Reza Rashidian.
The Iranian official pointed to the economic and cultural capacities of the province, saying the ground is ready for the expansion of scientific and economic relations between Khorasan Razavi and Germany. He said the province can act as a gateway for the export of German goods to Afghanistan given that Afghanistan is currently dealing with security problems.
He added that commercial delegations from the province will be sent to Germany in the near future, noting that Germany is the province’s 11th biggest export partner.
In 2013, Germany’s exports to Iran slumped by 26 percent compared to the preceding year, mainly as a result of western sanctions. However, according to data released by Germany’s Statistics Office, the country’s exports to Iran rose by 32.7% to over $2 billion in 2014 after an interim nuclear deal was reached between Iran and the P5+1.
