The German-Iranian Chamber of Industry and Commerce held a specialized meeting entitled “Challenges and Opportunities for Expanding Exports to Germany” to assess the current state of Iranian exports to Germany, identify opportunities to strengthen trade cooperation, and examine the requirements for entering European markets. The meeting brought together CEOs, exporters, and representatives of leading Iranian companies. Discussions focused on the challenges facing exports to Germany and the European Union, opportunities for cooperation between Iranian and German companies, and strategies to strengthen Iranian businesses’ presence in European markets. The latest developments in German trade practices, as well as the legal requirements and standards relevant to export development, were also among the key topics.
At the beginning of the meeting, Shahin Asghari, President of the German-Iranian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, highlighted the Chamber’s capacity to provide consulting, legal, and commercial services. He emphasized the need to expand specialized services, strengthen connections between Iranian and German companies, and make greater use of the Chamber’s arbitration services. He also identified foreign exchange and banking difficulties as major obstacles to the development of trade relations, noting that specialized meetings in cooperation with the Iran Chamber of Commerce could help address these challenges and identify practical solutions to facilitate commercial interactions.
It was also emphasized that Germany is one of Iran’s most important trading partners in Europe and that a substantial share of bilateral trade consists of non-oil goods. According to the reports presented at the meeting, trade between Iran and Germany primarily involves non-oil products, including agricultural and food products, dried fruits and nuts, carpets and textiles, pharmaceutical products, and certain industrial goods.
The meeting continued with an examination of Iran–Germany trade relations, trends in Iranian exports, and the potential for expanding Iran’s presence in the German market. According to the data presented, Iranian exports to Germany include pistachios and other dried fruits, raw materials of animal and plant origin, medical and pharmaceutical products, and carpets. By contrast, exports in several industrial categories, including plastics, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery, have declined in recent years.
Another part of the meeting focused on the requirements Iranian products must meet to enter the German and wider European Union markets. Topics included food safety standards, the control of contaminants—particularly aflatoxins—product traceability, packaging and labeling requirements, and the necessary certifications. The importance of preparing exporters to comply with European Union regulations, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), was also highlighted.
During the discussion and exchange of views, representatives of participating companies shared their experiences and outlined the challenges they face in trade relations with Germany. Key concerns included international transportation difficulties and their impact on exports, banking restrictions and payment transfers, and the challenges of obtaining spare parts for German machinery under sanctions. Some business representatives also referred to their long-standing cooperation with German companies and changes in sourcing equipment and machinery in recent years. They stressed the importance of maintaining relationships with established business partners, identifying new cooperation opportunities, and strengthening the Chamber’s role in connecting companies with potential partners. Expanding participation in specialized trade fairs and exploring ways to revive exports of traditional products and handicrafts, particularly Persian carpets, were also discussed.
In closing, the President of the German-Iranian Chamber of Industry and Commerce emphasized the importance of continuing specialized meetings with representatives of various industries. He stated that these sessions aim to identify the needs and challenges of the private sector, provide more effective services, and turn discussions into practical cooperation between Iranian and German companies.
Representatives of several prominent Iranian companies and organizations attended the meeting, including Zob Ahan Isfahan, Bazargani Sanaye Shir Iran, Butan Industrial Group, Foolad Mobarakeh Esfahan, Farsh Tabriz, Bank Saman (Saman Academy), MAPNA Group, Electronic Afzar Azma, and AryoGen Pharmed. Participants discussed opportunities to expand exports and strengthen trade cooperation with Germany and the European Union.
