Iran to open private banks in Germany

Iran's Middle East Bank and Sina Bank will open branches in the Bavarian city of Munich by the end of the year, Iran's central bank said, a development that could help boost German exports to the Islamic Republic.

Despite the lifting of international sanctions after implementation of last year's nuclear deal, major European banks have refrained from working with Iran due to concern over US non-nuclear related sanctions. Iran has accused the United States of blocking the country's economic integration with the world economy.

Lack of financing has upset the potential for major trade deals between Iran and Germany.

Ilse Aigner, Bavaria's economy minister, told the "Münchner Merkur" newspaper on Sunday that the new Iranian bank branches would help German businesses realize greater exports to Iran.

"Business ties between Bavarian companies and Iran often fail today because of barriers in the payment process," said Aigner, who is on her second trip to Iran this year to boost trade ties.

"That is why having branches of Iranian banks in Munich is particularly important for our businesses. Especially our small and medium-sized firms have enormous export prospects to Iran that they will be able to utilize more easily in the future," she said.

Aigner pointed to German engineering, automotive, aerospace, environmental technology, pharmaceutical and medical technology companies as having an interest in exporting to Iran. She also said three banks would open in Munich, although Iran's central bank confirmed only two.

Germany was one of Iran's largest trading partners before international sanctions were imposed on Iran in 2012 over its nuclear program.

Iran is also in talks with the German central bank and other banks to settle oil exports in euros instead of dollars.

cw/jil (AFP, Reuters)