Iran should cut protectionism, tariffs to join WTO: Expert

EghtesadOnline: If Iran intends to join the World Trade Organization, it should embark on reducing customs tariffs, rolling back protectionism and make its markets more competitive, an international investment adviser says.

News ID: ۷۷۴۵۸۰

13 March 2017

“Iran’s unyielding protectionism, in case the country has an ambition for a WTO membership, is going to create hurdles on its way to achieve the goal,” Parham Gohari, co-founder of Frontier Partners, told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) during an interview on Saturday.

Gohari said that, instead of promoting protectionism, the Islamic Republic should work toward putting in place incentive policies and using concessions to prop up its domestic industries.

Iran can also move toward establishing common markets both in the Middle East and Asia, he said.

The co-founder of Frontier Partners also urged Iran to help enhance foreign investments in the country, saying the foreign investors should engage with Iran based on long-term objectives.

“Different sectors in Iran, including oil and natural gas, petrochemical industries, tourism, construction and car-making, tend to have high potentials for absorbing foreign investments,” Gohari said.

Frontier Partners, the first and largest international professional firm provides consulting, transactions support and investment services to multinational corporations on their investment agenda with respect to the Iranian market.