Switzerland’s textile machinery producers as long term partners of Iranian textile companies are eager to play a major role in their renewed growth as the textile industry of Iran is ready for a new beginning and determined to achieve future progress in technology and global market penetration, following the recent ending of international sanctions which hampered its continued development.

At the two day seminar held in Tehran on April 25-26, 2016, organized by Swissmem, the Swiss national textile machinery representative body, the seminar featured a strong presence from the leading technology providers, including 40 percent of the association’s membership. The seminar attracted a total of 350 delegates —companies were from the capital city itself, as well as from other textile manufacturing centers, including Isfahan, Yazd and Mashad. .

Swissmem president Ernesto Maurer reported that the seminar exceeded all prior expectations, in terms of both the number and importance of the Iranian companies taking part: Before the imposition of sanctions they enjoyed a very strong business level and a good relationship with customers in Iran. This continued during the period of sanctions, but understandably at a lower level. In the new situation today, they are keen to intensify their relationship and business dealings to pre-sanction levels and beyond.

Maurer identified problems with transfer of funds between the two countries as one of the major hurdles during the sanctions period. Therefore this was a key theme at the seminar, with two speeches arranged by experts on international financial transactions. They are delighted that the seminar helped to strengthen still further the already strong ties between their respective industries.

In the year 2015, export sales to Iran totaled 6.4 million Swiss Francs, Switzerland remains a significant provider of technology to the country and is anticipating the Iranian industry to account for a larger share of its global export sales total of more than 1 billion Swiss Francs in the coming years.

One of the leading Swiss company representatives at the event, Christian Lerch, of Jakob Müller, reflected that the Iranian delegates showed genuine appreciation at the partnership efforts of Swissmem: Their customers were pleased that they brought a significant presence to their country in what is still a challenging business environment. From out side, it underlines the trust that we have in the country and also in the textile producers of Iran.

Many of Jakob Müller customers took part, and they welcomed the chance for the exchange of technical and business information, as well as the valuable networking time and pleasant social programme for the evening. They wanted to demonstrate a real personal interest alongside the mutual business advantages.

According to an expert insider, the potential of the Iran textile industry came from Mehran Zehtab, of Kian Sanat Afzar, an engineering service company which represents Swiss companies Retech, SSM and Heberlein in Iran.

Zehtab said that Swissmem is always welcome and its presence is needed in Iran as they will be able to meet the requirements of their specialist areas such as synthetic fiber production and melt spinning in particular, companies in Iran are hungry for both know-how and latest technology in what is a critical and high added-value market.