Iran deal: From talk of a bomb to economic boom?
International investors eye deals worth billions of dollars as Tehran strikes a deal over its nuclear programme.
Iran is edging back in from the cold after years of international sanctions and economic isolation.
A deal to curb its nuclear programme is throwing up boundless opportunities for international investors.
Potential oil and gas contracts alone are estimated to be worth around $100bn.
Investors will also have to contend with the poor state of Iran’s economy.
GDP is significantly down, inflation is running at 23 percent and unemployment has risen to a little over 14 percent.
The Heritage Foundation ranks Iran 171 out of 186 countries for what it calls economic freedom, while Transparency International has it at 136th place out of 175 countries for perceived public sector corruption.
So can Iran allay any reservations foreign businesses may have? How will international investors react?
And can Tehran stick to its side of the nuclear bargain?
Presenter: Hazem Sika
Guests
Sadegh Zibakalam – a political professor from Tehran University.
Sara Bazoobandi – an associate fellow from the Middle East North Africa Programme at Chatham House.
Bijan Khajehpour – managing partner at Atieh International, a consulting firm which advises companies on entering Iranian markets.