Iran Country Profile

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Iran Country Profile Iran Country Profile November 2015 Key Statistics A very enticing minefield GDP, US$ bl n* $415.0 Population, mln 77.8 “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I GDP/Capita, US$ $5,334 am wise, so I am changing myself” GDP/Capita, PPP basis, US$ $17,150 Source: State Statistics Committee Jalāl ad‐Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, 13th Century Persian poet and scholar * 2015 – Year‐end as of 31 March Nuclear agreement may be a catalyst for change. The economic cost of sanctions led to shifts in the internal political balance of Iran. The lifting Key Macro Indicators* of sanctions and the expected inward flow of investment as a result of 2015 2016E that should further strengthen the pragmatic factions in the country. Growth, real % YoY 0.6% 2.5% Consolidated bdgt., % GDP ‐3.5% ‐3.0% Foreign investors will need to conform to local interests. Iran’s Unemployment, % eop 11.5% 12.0% concessions to unblock sanctions do not change important fundamental CPI ‐ average, % YoY 14.0% 12.5% differences between Western and Iranian ways of conducting business Curr. account, % GDP 0.4% 1.3% and government. Any investment project will need to conform to local state and business interests. Trade balance, US$ bln $20.0 $24.0 CB reserves, US$ bln* $120.0 $115.0 Whose interests might you harm? An important issue for investors will Sovereign debt/GDP % 11.0% 12.0% be to ensure that projects conform to the spirit as well as to the letter of CB refinancing rate 14.0% 21.0% the law, and what impact the project might have on the economic and Rial/US$, eop 27,700 30,000 political agenda of the Revolutionary Guard and the Bonyads (Trusts Source: Macro‐Advisory estimates, IMF which control 20% of GDP). * 2015 – Year‐end as of 31 March Potential oil sector recovery. We estimate that Iran can initially boost its * includes Sovereign Wealth Fund oil exports by 0.5‐0.7 mln barrels per day (mbd), including 0.2 mln barrels per day from an estimated 30 mln barrels of oil in storage, rising to a Tax Rates sustainable 1 mln barrels a day only if/when it can mobilize investment. Corporate tax 25.0% Total tax take, average* 44.1% Boosting gas exports will take longer. Iran sits on some of the world’s Personal tax** 15‐35% largest gas reserves, but developing this and boosting exports is expected to take between five and 10 years. Iran has just agreed a contract to Sales tax 7.0% import a much larger volume of gas (and electricity) from Turkmenistan. Source: Iran Government * World Bank survey Institutions already in place. A big difference between Iran and other ** Depends on income band post‐reform countries is that it already has banking infrastructure and a stock exchange, albeit only 0.1% of the listed stocks are foreign owned. Sovereign Credit Ratings Opportunities for direct investment. The fastest growth is likely to come N/R S & P, Moody's, Fitch in the form of services for Western businesses such as accounting and Source: Rating agencies legal, as well as in industries already identified as priorities by the state, which include aviation, automotive, agriculture, construction, transport Major Holidays in 2015‐16 and logistics. The consumer sector, which already sees turnover of US$20 Oil Nationalization Day 19‐Mar bln each month, has considerable long‐term growth potential, albeit Norooz (Persian New Year) 20‐23‐Mar many Western brands face well entrenched clones (e.g. Mash Donalds). Islamic Republic Day 31‐Mar Sanctions hold back economy. Iran produces annual results based on a Nature Day 1‐Apr financial year that concludes at the end of March. GDP may grow 2% in Khomenei's Death Remembrance 3‐Jun the year to end‐March 2016 if sanctions are lifted on schedule and Eid‐e‐Fitr (end of Ramadan) 7‐Jul investment picks up. Tassoua & Ashura 11‐12‐Oct Birthday of Prophet Muhammed 17‐Dec Hawkish Central Bank. The Central Bank has adopted a very hawkish Source: TimeandDate.com stance on interest rates in an effort to control inflation. It has also allowed the rial to devalue in response to the weaker oil price and as part of efforts to create a more competitive economy. Chris Weafer +7 916 349 2039 Tom Adshead +7 916 510 3753 Anastasia Obukhova contributed to this report. cjw@macro‐advisory.com tga@macro‐advisory.com http://macro‐advisory.com/ http://macro‐advisory.com/ No warranties, promises, and/or representations of any kind, expressed or implied are given as to the nature, standard, accuracy, or likewise of the information provided in this material nor to the suitability or otherwise of the information to your particular circumstances. Macro‐Advisory Limited does not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the content contained in this note. © Copyright Macro‐Advisory Limited Iran Country Profile Summary Removal of sanctions will unlock investment potential and boost economic recovery. The signing of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan between Iran and the P5+1 group in July 2015 concluded 18 months of negotiations. This will allow Iran to develop its nuclear industry in a way that satisfies Western powers, and in return the West will unlock the sanctions imposed on Iran. The sanctions regime was loosened as the negotiations progressed, and brought modest GDP growth of 1.5% YoY in 2014 driven by a recovery in crude oil production and oil export growth, and, more importantly, a recovery in industrial production. Oil exports can rise quickly. Although the sanctions are not yet lifted formally, foreign companies are already showing interest in the Iranian market, especially in the oil and gas sectors and the prospect of Iranian gas shipments to Europe. Iran is expected to relatively quickly restore up to 0.3‐0.5 mbd of oil production, and, add approximately 200,000 bbl per day from the estimated 30 million barrels of oil the country has in storage, thus exports of 0.5‐0.7 mbd can be quickly achieved. Iran currently produces 2.85 mbd of crude. Gas exports will be slower and more expensive to realize. Iran clearly has the potential to be a major gas exporter – it sits on reserves almost equal to those of Russia – however, the timeline to become a significant exporter of gas, and to challenge Russia in the EU gas market, is expected to take a minimum of five years and, probably, closer to 10. Iran recently agreed a deal with neighboring Turkmenistan to boost gas and electricity imports in order to have sufficient energy to support the government’s economic recovery plans. SWIFT exclusion and oil embargo are the key sanctions. Sanctions were the key instrument of influence over Iranian politics after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power in 2005. A large number of countries gradually started imposing sanctions against Iran. The most damaging sanctions were those imposed by the US and the EU, prohibiting purchases of Iranian oil and cutting off the Iranian banking system from SWIFT. Oil export revenues had accounted for about 50% of government revenues before the sanctions were imposed. The sanctions led to the rial losing two‐thirds of its value, from 10,000 against the US dollar in 2011 to almost 30,000 currently. The oil price collapse also contributed to the rial weakness, but more than half the decline pre‐dated the oil price move. Iran is also hoping to have restrictions lifted on foreign companies operating in the energy sector and in transportation services. Significant investment opportunities. Lifting the sanctions regime will open up one of the biggest economies in the region – and a population of close to 80 million – with considerable long‐term potential. Apart from the oil and gas industries the other areas which have been identified as offering significant potential for foreign strategic investors include: Automotive: The biggest automotive market in the Middle East, currently – according to officially published data – accounting for 10% of Iranian GDP (taking the whole supply chain into account). The main opportunities will be in the import of luxury brands and SUVs, as well as spare parts, and also in JVs with domestic manufacturers. Aviation: The current fleet of aircraft, both passenger and cargo, is very old. It is estimated that the country’s passenger and cargo airline operators will need to buy 300‐500 new aircraft over the first five years of a sanctions‐free economy. Agriculture: The government is expected to prioritize import substitution programs in order to boost the sector, which already accounts for 20% of GDP, and to create jobs in the food sector. There will be opportunities across‐the‐board for foreign investors in the agriculture sector, including food production. Opportunities are also expected in the supply and distribution chain, including refrigeration, logistics centers, truck sales, etc. 2 Iran Country Profile Consumer: Iran has the potential to become the biggest consumer market in the region. The main threat and barrier for foreign brands is the large number of clones which operate in the retail and IT segments. They will be hard to dislodge. While Iranian consumers may be inclined to buy genuine products, i.e. as and when their incomes rise, this may be limited if those behind the clone market succeed in blocking those imports. That said, the retail market is currently worth US$150 bln annually, and total consumer spend is conservatively estimated at US$20 bln per month. Communications: The communications market is dominated by state and other insider companies. The main potential for foreign investors is expected to be in equipment upgrades and in the supply of smart phones.
Recommended publications
  • An Empirical Analysis of the Black Market Exchange Rate in Iran
    University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive) Faculty of Business and Law March 2004 An Empirical Analysis of the Black Market Exchange Rate in Iran Abbas Valadkhani University of Wollongong, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/commpapers Part of the Business Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Valadkhani, Abbas: An Empirical Analysis of the Black Market Exchange Rate in Iran 2004. https://ro.uow.edu.au/commpapers/395 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] An Empirical Analysis of the Black Market Exchange Rate in Iran Abstract The Iranian rial has been depreciated on average about 13 per cent per annum against the U.S dollar during the last four decades. This paper examines the long- and short-run determinants of the black market exchange rate employing the cointegration techniques and the annual time series data from 1960 to 2002. Consistent with previous studies and the monetary approach to the exchange-rate determination, it is found that the black market exchange rate is cointegrated with the relative consumer price indices in Iran and the U.S., real GDP and the relative import prices. However, in the short run only the rising relative prices and a meagre real GDP growth have been responsible for the depreciation of Iranian currency. Keywords Black market, exchange rate, Iran, Cointegration Disciplines Business | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details This article was originally published as Valadkhani, A, An Empirical Analysis of the Black Market Exchange Rate in Iran, Asian-African Journal of Economics and Econometrics, 4(2), 2004, 141-52.
    [Show full text]
  • United States District Court Eastern District of New
    Case 1:14-cv-06601-DLI-CLP Document 120 Filed 11/10/16 Page 1 of 37 PageID #: 5985 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK CHARLOTTE FREEMAN, et al., Plaintiffs, -against- 14-CV-6601 (DLI/CLP) HSBC HOLDINGS PLC, et al., Defendants. DEFENDANTS’ JOINT MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO DISMISS September 14, 2016 Case 1:14-cv-06601-DLI-CLP Document 120 Filed 11/10/16 Page 2 of 37 PageID #: 5986 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .......................................................................................................... ii INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................3 I. STATUTORY BACKGROUND.........................................................................................3 II. PLAINTIFFS’ ALLEGATIONS .........................................................................................4 ARGUMENT .................................................................................................................................11 I. THE RULE 12(b)(6) STANDARD ...................................................................................11 II. THE COMPLAINT FAILS PLAUSIBLY TO ALLEGE PROXIMATE CAUSE ...........12 A. Rothstein and Its Progeny Hold That the Alleged Provision of Financial Services to Iran, Even When in Violation of U.S. Law, Is Too Remote to Support Civil
    [Show full text]
  • Biden, Congress Should Defend Terrorism Sanctions Imposed on Iran
    Research memo Biden, Congress Should Defend Terrorism Sanctions Imposed on Iran By Richard Goldberg, Saeed Ghasseminejad, Behnam Ben Taleblu, Matthew Zweig, and Mark Dubowitz January 25, 2021 During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to consider Antony Blinken’s nomination for secretary of state, Blinken was asked whether he believed it is in America’s national security interest to lift terrorism sanctions currently imposed on Iran, including sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank, national oil company, financial sector, and energy sector. “I do not,” Blinken responded. “And I think there is nothing, as I see it, inconsistent with making sure that we are doing everything possible – including the toughest possible sanctions, to deal with Iranian support for terrorism.”1 Bipartisan support for terrorism sanctions targeting Iran goes back to 1984, when the United States first designated the Islamic Republic as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Since then, every U.S. president2 – Republican or Democrat – and Congress have taken steps to reaffirm U.S. policy opposing Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism and tying sanctions relief to Iran’s cessation of terror-related activities. President Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if Iran returns to “strict compliance” with the agreement.3 Terrorism sanctions on Iran, however, should not be lifted, even if the Biden administration opts to return to the deal, unless and until Iran verifiably halts its sponsorship of terrorism. This memorandum provides an overview of Iran’s past and ongoing involvement in terrorism-related activities, a review of longstanding bipartisan congressional support for terrorism sanctions on Iran, and a list of terrorism sanctions currently imposed on Iran that should not be lifted.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of U.S. Treasury Department's License to Convert Iranian Assets
    United States Senate PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Rob Portman, Chairman Review of U.S. Treasury Department’s License to Convert Iranian Assets Using the U.S. Financial System MAJORITY REPORT PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE REVIEW OF U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT’S LICENSE TO CONVERT IRANIAN ASSETS USING THE U.S. FINANCIAL SYSTEM TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................... 1 II. FINDINGS OF FACTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................... 5 III. BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 8 A. United States’ Sanctions Against Iran ............................................................ 8 1. The Joint Plan of Action ...................................................................................... 9 2. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action .......................................................... 10 B. United States Sanctions Enforcement ........................................................... 12 1. The United States Treasury Department ......................................................... 12 a. OFAC can Authorize Otherwise Prohibited Transactions using General Licenses and Specific Licenses ................................................................................. 14 2. The United States Department of State ..........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Banking System, Creating a Currency Motion Banking Crisis and a Deep Recession in Iran
    POLICY BRIEF Those sanctions cracked down on Iran’s oil exports and 19-8 Iran Has a Slow imposed restrictions on Iranian banks that further cut them off from the global banking system, creating a currency Motion Banking crisis and a deep recession in Iran. Following an easing of sanctions after the nuclear treaty of 2015, Iran’s economy Crisis was regaining some strength. But that progress was cut short when the Trump administration resumed draconian sanc- Adnan Mazarei tions in 2018, again focusing on banning oil exports and June 2019 imposing restrictions on Iranian banks. US efforts to isolate Iran from the rest of the world have aggravated problems in the country’s banking system, where Adnan Mazarei has been a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics since January a crisis has been brewing for several decades. Significant 2019. Prior to joining the Institute, he was a deputy director at liquidity and solvency problems are posing a growing risk the International Monetary Fund. to Iran’s financial stability. A substantial portion of banks’ Author’s Note: I am grateful to Razieh Zahedi and Chris assets is impaired and their capital positions are very weak. Collins for their patient help with the research for this paper. I These problems are the result not only of US sanctions have also benefited from discussions with, or comments from, Madona Devasahayam, Shahrokh Fardoust, Joseph Gagnon, but also of the heavy-handed role of the state, banks’ often David Hoelscher, Patrick Honohan, Gonzalo Huertas, Borghan corrupt connections with various semiofficial corporations Narajabad, Ted Truman, Steven Weisman, and especially Ruchir Agarwal.
    [Show full text]
  • Secondary Sanctions on the Iranian Financial Sector Create De Facto Embargo with Lasting Implications for the Biden Administration
    Secondary Sanctions on the Iranian Financial Sector Create De Facto Embargo with Lasting Implications for the Biden Administration Abigail Eineman IRAN WATCH REPORT John P. Caves III January 2021 1 Introduction During their confirmation hearings last week in the U.S. Senate, President Joe Biden's key national security nominees noted that the new administration was prepared to return to the nuclear accord with Iran, but warned that such a return would not be swift. First, Iran would have to resume compliance with the accord's nuclear restrictions in a verifiable manner, according to Secretary of State designate Antony Blinken, at which point the United States would resume compliance as well. President Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, estimated during her confirmation hearing that “we are a long ways from that.”1 Compliance for the United States would mean reversing at least part of the Trump administration's “maximum pressure” campaign—a set of overlapping trade and financial restrictions on almost every part of Iran's economy. The outgoing administration made such a reversal more challenging, particularly as a result of the sanctions imposed on Iran's financial sector in the administration's final months. On October 8, 2020, the United States designated Iran’s financial sector pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902 and sanctioned eighteen Iranian banks.2 In doing so, the U.S. Treasury Department applied secondary sanctions to Iran's entire financial sector for the first time, potentially barring foreign entities from the U.S. financial system should they do business with Iranian banks.
    [Show full text]
  • Virtual Currencies: International Actions and Regulations Last
    Virtual Currencies: International Actions and Regulations Last Updated: January 8, 2021 No Legal Advice or Attorney-Client Relationship: This chart is provided by Perkins Coie LLP’s Decentralized Virtual Currency industry practice group for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Recipient should not act upon this information without seeking advice from a lawyer licensed in his/her own state or country. For questions or comments regarding this chart, please contact [email protected]. Developments Over Time Country Current Summary Date Occurrence Sources 2/20/2020 The Financial Services Regulatory Authority has updated and Guidance expanded its guidance through amendments to its cryptoasset regulatory framework. The amendments change the terminology used in the framework from “crypto asset” to “virtual asset,” a change that aligns with those descriptions used by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) (see Issuers and intermediaries of virtual Financial Action Task Force (below)). The FATF currencies and “security” tokens may be recommendations are an international standard for regulation Abu Dhabi subject to regulation—depending upon of crypto assets including KYC requirements, anti-money the nature of the product and service. laundering and fraud prevention rules, and sanctions and screening controls. The amendments also overhaul regulations to move the applicable rules from a singular category to those respective to the underlying activities. This means that such assets can be regulated according to their idiosyncratic natures and not as a monolithic class. 29032535.40 10/09/2017 The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Supplementary Dhabi issued guidance on the regulation of initial coin/token Guidance – Regulation offerings (ICO) and digital currency as supplemental of Initial Coin/Token guidance to the existing 2015 Financial Services and Markets Offerings and Virtual Regulations (FSMR).
    [Show full text]
  • Iran Sanctions
    Iran Sanctions Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs February 10, 2012 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS20871 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Iran Sanctions Summary The international coalition that is imposing progressively strict economic sanctions on Iran is broadening and deepening, with increasingly significant effect on Iran’s economy. The objective, not achieved to date, remains to try to compel Iran to verifiably confine its nuclear program to purely peaceful uses. As 2012 begins, Iran sees newly-imposed multilateral sanctions against its oil exports as a severe threat - to the point where Iran is threatening to risk armed conflict. Iran also has indicated receptivity to new nuclear talks in the hopes of reversing or slowing the implementation of the oil export-related sanctions. The energy sector provides nearly 70% of Iran’s government revenues. Iran’s alarm stems from the potential loss of oil sales as a result of: • A decision by the European Union on January 23, 2012, to wind down purchases of Iranian crude oil by July 1, 2012. EU countries buy about 20% of Iran’s oil exports. This action took into consideration an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran’s possible efforts to design a nuclear explosive device, and diplomatic and financial rifts with Britain, which caused the storming of the British Embassy in Tehran on November 30, 2011. • Decisions by other Iranian oil purchasers, particularly Japan and South Korea, to reduce purchases of Iranian oil. Those decisions are intended to comply with a provision of the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L.
    [Show full text]
  • Banking Automation Bulletin | Media Pack 2021
    Banking Automation BULLETIN Media Pack 2021 Reaching and staying in touch with your commercial targets is more important than ever Curated news, opinions and intelligence on Editorial overview banking and cash automation, self-service and digital banking, cards and payments since 1979 Banking Automation Bulletin is a subscription newsletter Independent and authoritative insights from focused on key issues in banking and cash automation, industry experts, including proprietary global self-service and digital banking, cards and payments. research by RBR The Bulletin is published monthly by RBR and draws 4,000 named subscribers of digital and printed extensively on the firm’s proprietary industry research. editions with total, monthly readership of 12,000 The Bulletin is valued by its readership for providing independent and insightful news, opinions and 88% of readership are senior decision makers information on issues of core interest. representing more than 1,000 banks across 106 countries worldwide Regular topics covered by the Bulletin include: Strong social media presence through focused LinkedIn discussion group with 8,500+ members • Artificial intelligence and machine learning and Twitter @RBRLondon • Biometric authentication 12 issues per year with bonus distribution at key • Blockchain and cryptocurrency industry events around the world • Branch and digital transformation Unique opportunity to reach high-quality • Cash usage and automation readership via impactful adverts and advertorials • Deposit automation and recycling • Digital banking and payments Who should advertise? • Financial inclusion and accessibility • Fintech innovation Banking Automation Bulletin is a unique and powerful • IP video and behavioural analytics advertising medium for organisations providing • Logical, cyber and physical bank security solutions to retail banks.
    [Show full text]
  • Data Collection Survey on Tourism and Cultural Heritage in the Islamic Republic of Iran Final Report
    THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IRANIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE, HANDICRAFTS AND TOURISM ORGANIZATION (ICHTO) DATA COLLECTION SURVEY ON TOURISM AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2018 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY JTB CORPORATE SALES INC. INGÉROSEC CORPORATION RECS INTERNATIONAL INC. 7R JR 18-006 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) DATA COLLECTION SURVEY ON TOURISM AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN FINAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ v Maps ........................................................................................................................................ vi Photos (The 1st Field Survey) ................................................................................................. vii Photos (The 2nd Field Survey) ............................................................................................... viii Photos (The 3rd Field Survey) .................................................................................................. ix List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................................ x 1. Outline of the Survey ....................................................................................................... 1 (1) Background and Objectives .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Central Bank Art Collections 142 GPI 2020
    Chapter 11 Central bank art collections 142 GPI 2020 The art of central banking For centuries, central banks have collected art. Many regularly host exhibitions and competitions, helping to bridge the gap between institutions and the public they serve, writes Danae Kyriakopoulou. THE motivations, magnitude ‘I am convinced that commissions and exhibitions. We and characteristics of central examine how it enables them to banks’ public engagement have economic and cultural strengthen their organisational changed profoundly in the last affairs, and money and culture, and motivate and support decade. Previously hidden away, literature and poetry, their staff. Finally, we cover art as quietly managing and operating are much more closely money, analysing the ways through the plumbing of the financial linked than many which some central banks have built system, these institutions have investment policies for their art come into the spotlight through people believe.’ collections, and money as art, looking their unconventional policies. Last Jean-Claude Trichet, president, at how questions on finance have year’s Global Public Investor probed European Central Bank (2003-11) inspired artists. how central banks leverage digital communication strategies and social Diverse origins media to strengthen their relationship The presence of art is a characteristic with the public and safeguard their of most central banks, if only in the most valuable resource, trust. form of a painting in the boardroom This year, we continue the series or a sculpture in the main entrance. on central banks’ public engagement But not all institutions document, by delving into their art collections. present and organise their art in This report explores how art can serve the form of a collection.
    [Show full text]
  • Interest Free Banking in Iran: Challenges and Prospects
    © 2018 JETIR September 2018, Volume 5, Issue 9 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162) Interest Free Banking in Iran: Challenges and Prospects Nazir-Ul-Islam1 1 Senior Research Scholar at the Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. Abstract The revolution of Iran played a primary role in converting the conventional banking in Interest-free banking after 1979 in Islamic Republic of Iran. The government in 1983 passed the law of Interest-free banking, and in 1984 banks started Islamic banking based on the 1983 interest-free law. It is difficult to accept that a bank can be run without paying or receiving interest and without the involvement of interest banks will play any role in economic development. The interest free banking system of Islamic Republic of Iran is perceived as an effective tool in achieving of the objectives of Islamic economics. This paper is an attempt to study Interest-free banking of Islamic Republic of Iran along with products offered. Furthermore, challenges and prospects will be focused. Finally, suggestions for the improvement of the performance of these banks will be mentioned. Key Words: Interest, Islam, Islamic Banking, Law. 1. Introduction Islamic Finance a recent phenomenon is not a new concept but as old as the Islamic state of Madina. Contemporary Interest free banking experimented on the land of Egypt in 70s has now reached to the non- Muslim countries too. Now more than 300 Islamic banking institutions have been established in the world.2 The 1979 revolution of Iran played a primary role in converting the conventional banking in Islamic banking.
    [Show full text]