Speyside launches Inside Iran service

Emerging markets consultancy Speyside has launched a dedicated counselling service called ‘Inside Iran’ to assess business risks and opportunities in the country.

Speyside says there has been a “spike in corporate interest” in the country following the recent easing of nuclear sanctions. International sanctions on Iran were lifted last month after the country accepted a production freeze on nuclear weapons.

The Inside Iran support team will be made up of a combination of Tehran-based consultants and Speyside’s core emerging markets team. It will provide clients with insight into how potential Western investors and market entrants are viewed by the local commercial, bureaucratic, regulatory and political communities on the ground in Tehran.

Michael Wyatt, Speyside’s senior consultant in Istanbul, leads the division.

Chris Dobson, Speyside president, said: “Media, diplomats and investors, however, remain cautious and rightly so. If the rapprochement is to be sustained, many more complex obstacles must be overcome. The forthcoming Iranian local parliamentary elections will be an interesting indicator of how sustainable recent engagement might be. But whatever the outcome, potential investors need insight beyond the media headlines. With its vast, highly-educated, and mostly urbanite population, Iran offers enormous commercial potential as it looks to re-connect with the global community.

“The complexity around Iran is of course immense, which is why the inclusion of our internationally-educated but locally-immersed Iranian consultants based in Tehran has been essential. This insight can help our clients and partners assess potential future opportunities in a much more informed and nuanced manner.”