Iran-Water - Iranian water sector under the microscope

What was the focus?

What is the condition of the water and wastewater infrastructure in Iran? What potential does Iran offer for German SMEs in the water and sanitation sector? What conditions of the Iranian water sector need German SMEs take into account for their activities in Iran? These questions are at the center of the research project " Iran-Water: Making German-Iranian cooperation in the water sector successful - description and analysis of the market potential, political context and legal framework" which was launched in June 2016.

Understanding framework conditions - discovering potentials

The aim of the project is to develop an analysis of potentials and to present the current framework conditions of the Iranian water sector. The focus is on the municipal water and wastewater infrastructure in urban areas of the country. A massive population increase since 1980, a high urbanisation level and a rising environmental awareness has led to a large backlog which can be solved only with external assistance. Against this background the study describes the Iranian water sector and provides a realistic picture of the opportunities and challenges that German SMEs from the water and sanitation sector will face when doing business in Iran.

Facilitating market access for SMEs

The project is addressed at German SME businesses of the water and waste water industry as well as policy makers in bilateral delegations. The focal points of the study are:

• the description of the technical state of water and wastewater infrastructure in Iran along with an analysis of existing development needs,
• the description of the relevant legal framework, and
• the description of strategic actors and institutions.

The main product of the project is a compilation of all relevant information on the water sector and water related infrastructure in Iran for German SME. This is supported by further activities such as matchmaking events in Germany and Iran that bring together SME representatives and decision-makers from politics and administration.

Simulating business processes to avoid pitfalls

In addition, case studies are conducted in order to simulate and illustrate the interplay of technical, administrative and legal factors when doing business in Iran. Hence, this simulation is intended to give a sense for a German-Iranian cooperation in the water and wastewater sector and identifying any potential pitfalls of cooperation.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).