In an interview with Shada, the Acting Head of the Investment Organisation announces that the body intends to create a professional network of “foreign investment promotion agencies” that will act as advisers, facilitators, and long‑term partners for overseas investors.
Heidari added, the agencies are designed to serve as a single point of contact, guiding investors from global marketing and project identification through to licensing, company registration, and post‑investment support. The government hopes this will instil greater confidence in Iran’s investment climate, which bureaucratic hurdles and political risk have hampered.
The legal basis stems from Article 30 of the Financing Law for Production and Infrastructure, which mandated the Investment Organisation to establish a framework for such agencies. The new guidelines set out standards for creation, operation, oversight, and accountability. The aim, says Heidari, is to harness the maturity of Iran’s private sector to identify opportunities and negotiate internationally, complementing the state’s role.
The agencies will have three core functions: promoting Iran’s investment image abroad, providing advisory services to foreign investors, and supporting projects after capital has been deployed. To qualify, applicants must meet strict criteria: at least 200bn rials in paid‑up capital, the ability to produce feasibility studies and multilingual content, and experienced managers with clean financial records.
Licensing will be staged. An initial six‑month permit is granted after document review, followed by a two‑year operating licence once infrastructure and analytical capacity are in place. Oversight will be multi‑layered, including periodic evaluations, audited financial statements, field inspections, and ad‑hoc inquiries. Breaches may result in suspension or revocation.
The agencies are expected to answer three basic investor questions: which projects are reliable, how administrative processes will unfold, and who will be accountable if problems arise. They may also establish branches abroad, subject to approval, to promote Iranian opportunities directly in target markets.
Officials argue that the presence of professional promotion agencies is a benchmark in international investment assessments. By enhancing project presentation and investor interaction, Iran hopes to aim for global rankings and attract capital despite sanctions and reputational challenges. The agencies are also tasked with identifying economic advantages, completing value chains, engaging in international marketing, and participating in economic events at home and abroad.
The Investment Organisation stresses that beyond execution, the agencies should act as agile advisers to policymakers, offering recommendations to improve the investment environment. Priority will be given to venture‑capital‑style agencies capable of financing and implementing innovative projects.
Applications are now open, with the organisation inviting qualified firms to submit proposals. The government bets that by professionalising the interface with foreign investors, the private sector can become the engine that finally brings fresh capital into Iran’s economy.