France explores ways to boost economic ties with Iran

A French delegation has arrived in Iran to explore business opportunities, official IRNA news agency reported on Monday, saying Iran is opening its economy up to the international business as world powers partially lifting sanctions. The French visit aims to explore ways to boost economic ties with Iranian traders and economic activists as well as paving the way for investment in Iran, the report said. On Monday, the 140-strong delegation held a meeting with members of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, although Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian and a number of officials from other key ministries did not attend. The delegation, comprised of industrialists from auto-making and mining sectors as well as other entrepreneurs, is also scheduled to hold talks with other Iranian business officials, according to IRNA. The visit follows the recent landmark interim nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers. The agreement eases some of the Western sanctions placed against the Islamic republic, leading business entrepreneurs and political leaders to scramble to establish relations. In the past months, delegations from Italy, Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands as well as the Republic of Korea (ROK) visited Iran in search for trade opportunities. Following the deal signed between Iran and the world powers in Geneva last Nov. 24 to resolve the country's controversial nuclear program, the Islamic republic is seeking foreign investment in its diverse economic projects. Under the deal, the United States and its allies have started to lift part of sanctions on Iran in the fields of petrochemicals, auto industries and civil aviation. They have also agreed to unfreeze part of Iran's blocked assets in western banks.