Iran not satisfied with renewed banking relations’ level

Although the SWIFT service is running in Iran and banking operations such as opening credits are performed right now, the level of the established banking relations doesn’t satisfy the country, said Seyyedeh Fatemeh Moqimi, secretary of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce.

“Banking relations may not have reached the desirable level yet. However, the problem is not a general one. Negotiations over the details of the operationalization of the relations will take some time,” Moqimi told Trend March 7.

In recent days there has been much talk whether Iranian banks are really able to use international transactions, with contrary statements from the government and private sector, as well as media outlets affiliated to political rivals of the government.

A few days ago, Tehran Chamber of Commerce member Asadollah Asgar Oladi said government vows have not been fulfilled and businessmen cannot use Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) even as nearly two months have passed since the implementation day of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, which removed economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

But the Central Bank of Iran President Valiollah Seif has made contrary remarks, noting that Iranian bankers are normally performing international transactions.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, answering a question at a press conference on March 6, said, “Transactions between our banks and foreign banks have started. However, some banks are still afraid of establishing relations with us.”

Iran complained on March 5 that European banks and companies were too wary about renewing business ties and said it had asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ease their concerns.

“There is still ‘Iranophobia’ in the banking sector that we are trying to overcome,” Hamid Tehranfar, a vice governor of Iran's central bank, was earlier quoted as saying.

Iranian businessmen’s efforts to quickly make deals with foreigners have been hampered in part by foreigners’ reluctance.

Zagros Airlines chief Hushang Seddiq said March 7 that his company intends to buy 20 aircraft from Brazil’s Embraer, but expressed concern that bringing them into the country would “require a green light from the US.”

Regarding the issue, Moqimi told Trend that the problem springs in great part from the current political vibe in the US as the country is expecting a presidential election and party rivalry is high.

“Surely, the situation will move toward considering a win-win game and the problems will be solved, however after some time,” she said.

“Problems with the American banks, however, are not solved yet,” the Tehran Chamber of Commerce secretary noted.

/By Trend/