1. The document provides information about Iran, including its location in Western Asia, capital of Tehran, population of over 78 million, and political system that combines presidential democracy and theocracy.
2. Iran has borders with 10 countries and its political framework is guided by an Islamist ideology, with an elected president and parliament whose candidates must be vetted by the Guardian Council.
3. Business meetings in Iran require advance scheduling and sticking to formalities, as decisions are made slowly at the top levels. Punctuality is appreciated and guests may be kept waiting by the bureaucratic administration.
2. Quick facts
Location:Western
Asia
Capital and largest
city: Tahran
Religion: Islamic
Population:
78,192,200
Currency: Rial
Area:1,648,195 km
GDP: $1.284 trillion
GDP per capita:
$16,463
Inflation (CPI): 8.10
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3. Location:
Western Asia.
Iran has borders
with ten
countries:
Armenia,
Azerbaijan,
Turkmenistan,
Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Oman,
United Arab
Emirates,
Kuwait, Iraq and
Turkey.
Afghanistan
Turkmenistan
IRAN
IRAN
Tehran
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4. Political aspects
The politics of Iran take place in a framework
of presidential democracy and theocracy in a
format of Syncretic politics that is guided by an
Islamist ideology.
Iran has an elected president, parliament
(or Majlis), and an "Assembly of Experts" (which
elects the Supreme Leader), and local councils.
According to the constitution all candidates
running for these positions must be vetted by the
Guardian Council before being elected.
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6. Supreme Leader of Iran
Ali Hosseini Khamenei
President of Iran
Hassan Rouhani
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7. International Agreements/Membership
Group of 24 (G-24)
Group of 77 (G-77)
International Bank of Reconstruction
and Development (IBRD)
International Development Association
(IDA)
Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
Multilateral Investment Guarantee
Agency (MIGA)
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC)
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC)
International Fund for Agriculture
Development (IFAD)
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
International Standards Organisation (ISO)
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9. Meeting and Greeting
Meeting someone in a business or official
context always shake hands.
Male should wait to see if women extend
their hands, if they do not, then simply nod
your head and smile.
The most common greeting in Iran is 'salam'
which originates from the Islamic greeting.
When departing, Iranians will generally
usually use, 'khoda-HAKhafez‘.
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10. Once a relationship has been established your
Iranian counterpart will quickly start to address
you with your first name.
Men are addressed with ‘Agha' proceeded by
the surname. So, ALİ REZA HAKİMİ will be
'Agha-ye HAKİMİ'.
With women you would use ‘Khanoom'. So,
FATMA HAKİMİ will be ‘Khanoom-e HAKİMİ'.
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11. Gift giving etiquette
First rule of gift giving is to never give alcohol.
The first time you go to someone's house for tea,
it is appropriate to bring a small gift.
If you are invited to lunch or dinner, bring fruits,
sweets or pastries. Make sure the box is wrapped
nicely.
When bringing a gift be subtle in how it is given.
Do not immediately give the present but rather
discreetly place it near the door or where you sit
down.
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12. Dining Etiquette
Check to see if the host is wearing shoes.
If not, remove yours at the door
Accept any offer of food or drink.
Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctuality
is appreciated.
Expect to be shown into the guests’ room.
It is usually lavishly furnished with
European furniture
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13. Religious Etiquette
DO understand that in order to visit a mosque
or holy shrine, women should wear a chador
before entering
DO remove your shoes before entering a
prayer area of a mosque.
DO ask before entering a room at a holy site,
because some places forbid non-Muslims to
enter
DON’T take photos of a mosque while people
are praying.
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15. What to wear
Iranian officials and business people wear
clothing comprising of trousers, shirt and
jacket.
Male you would be expected to be smart
and conservative. A suit is standard
although wearing a tie is not necessary.
women should wear very conservative
clothing that covers arms, legs and hair
DON’T take your suit jacket off without
permission
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16. Business Meetings
If you plan on doing business in Iran,should
be made in advance both via telephone
and in writing. Prior to arriving in Iran
telephone again just to confirm time and
place
Do not be surprised if during meetings
people walk in and out of a room or phone
calls are taken.
If you are doing business with government
officials in Iran be prepared to be kept
waiting.The administration and
bureaucracy in Iran can be chaotic
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17. Business hours are Saturday to Thursday 9
a.m. 5 p.m. Lunch is usually an hour at
around 1 p.m. Friday is a holiday.
At the beginning of any meeting engage in
niceties and ask after people's health,
families, work, etc. Wait for your
counterpart to initiate the change in
conversation to business matters.
Iranians in business and in the higher
levels of government will have a good
understanding of English, it is best to
arrange for your own interpreter to
accompany you.
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18. Business Negotiating
Decisions are made slowly. they are deliberate
negotiators who can drive a hard bargain
Do not use high-pressure tactics. They will work
against you
Iranians may display emotion, or even walk out
of the meeting, or threaten to terminate the
relationship in an attempt to convince you to
change your position.
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19. Decisions are made at the top of the
company, either by one person or a small
council
When doing business in Iran, stick to
formalities.
Iranians often use time as a negotiating tactic,
especially if they know that you have a
deadline
It takes time for Iranians to warm up towards
foreign business people. Until then, they may
appear somewhat stiff and formal
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21. Do greet everyone when entering a room.
Shake hands with the men, but not with a
woman unless she extends her hand first.
Do eat with your right hand as much as
possible.
Do dress modestly.
Do read about the country's history, culture,
and people before you come, as this will be
treated as a sign of respect for
Afghanistan.
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22. Dress
DO understand that women are
expected to wear loose clothing
covering everything but their hands,
face, and feet
DO wear pants and short-sleeved shirts
if you are man. However, long-sleeves
may protect you from the sun better.
DO dress conservatively for business
occasions. Ties are not traditionally worn
by Iranian men
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23. Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts
DO wrap a gift nicely.
DON’T open a gift immediately.
On birthdays, businesspeople bring
sweets and cakes to the office and do
not expect to receive gifts.
If you are invited to house,bring flowers,
or pastry to the hosts.
Gifts are not generally opened when
received. In fact, they may be put on a
table and not mentioned
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