Minister at Ministry of Economy, Transport and Innovation of the city of Hamburg:

Iran in a Period of Transition

Frank Horch as the minister in ministry of Economy, transport and Innovation of the city of Hamburg travelled to Iran as the head of high delegation of Hamburgian business body with a focus on maritime issues. MANA correspondent has run an interview with him in respect with the Hamburg ministry’s strategies toward Iran and perspectives he holds regarding working with Iranian maritime and non-maritime organizations as an authority with being educated in ship building engineering.

News ID: 72349

Date: 28 February 2017 - 10:58

Could you elaborate the relation between Iran and Hamburg?

First of all, the long history between nations Iran and Hamburg is real important. The two nations enjoy friendly and respectful relations and so many links which support setting up business relations. I am highly optimistic about resuming the relations between Iranian and German companies once again in the new era. Furthermore, The Free and Hanseatic city of Hamburg is regarded as one of the most important locations in Europe for Iran. The lifting of many sanctions has put an end to Iran’s years of isolation. The second largest economy in the Near East, rich in raw materials, with an excellently trained workforce, promises not least due to its geographic location great economic potential. This is a good reason to further intensify the relationships we have always maintained, even in difficult times.

Hamburg’s special role as a location for the Iranian community ensures pronounced interest- not only in “Made in Germany” but especially in “made in Hamburg”. I would like to grasp this opportunity for Hamburg. The focus here is on the maritime industries and on logistics, energy and the classic industries.

- How do you analyze Iran’s potentials?

The decisive foundations are being laid in Iran at present. The government is pressing ahead massively with the expansion of the infrastructure. The port of Bandar Abbas and the deep-sea harbor of Chabahar, the associated free trade zone, and the rail connection are at a very top of the list. Mazandaran Province and the region around Rasht are emerging regions that, due to their location on the Caspian Sea, will be assuming important functions as a hub for trade. Iran is still in a period of transition. Whereas the maritime industry already maintains intensive contacts with Iran, the country is still largely unknown for many other delegation members. For the latter, we offer a preliminary exploration of the market, whereas for the members of the maritime sector, it is more a matter of specific measures for opening markets. I hope we will all be having interesting and simulating conversations and that your entrepreneurial projects will be very successful.

Personally speaking, I have been in touch with many Iranian projects and I got many experience about Iran over more than three decades.

How has been the cooperation with IRISL?

Direct negotiation started this year after sanctions removals and the good point is that IRISL is in Hamburg and the initial negotiations started with Eurogate Company. Politically, we started negotiations and promised our support in each case in Feb, 2016 and we hope to move forward fast.

How do you evaluate shipping industry in 2017?

It is a little difficult to answer. For the time being, the shipping industry is in trouble. Changing the current situation in shipping depends on many factors including financing, raw materials, Chinese policies etc. we have to be very concentrated on the industry mainly because transportation has turned out to be a complicated task in recent years.in other words, the transportation in the future is different and the last ten years has undergone different changes which makes forecasting so difficult.