Optimism abounds as Iran warms up to West
Iranian public opinion has, for the large part, reacted optimistically to Tehran鈥檚 engagement in talks with the West over its controversial nuclear program. While the program itself is shrouded in nationalist spirit 鈥� few would be happy to see it go 鈥� the idea of a rapprochement has opened up the possibility of an economic recovery, following years of devastating sanctions.
鈥淧eople are almost too hopeful,鈥� explains our correspondent covering Iran. 鈥淵ou talk to people in the business community, and they are in general confident that something will happen. Still, they don鈥檛 want to get too hopeful. But if you talk to the average person, they feel like this is going to change everything, that sanctions will be lifted. And they think it is going to happen fast.鈥�
Already, businesses in particular are pre-positioning themselves for the plethora of opportunities that could line up around a possible lifting of sanctions. Iran鈥檚 oil and gas industry is the most important for the country鈥檚 revenue stream. But the consumer market is equally promising for a host of international firms.
Take cosmetics, of which Iran is the ninth-largest consumer globally.... For the rest of the story, continue reading at our new business publication聽
