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ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF İRAN

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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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Location: Western Asia. Iran has borders with ten countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Turkey.

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IRAN

Tehran

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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.

5Iran’s Political System

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Supreme Leader of Iran

Ali Hosseini Khamenei 

President of IranHassan Rouhani

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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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SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

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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-hafez‘.

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When doing business in Iran, stick to formalities.

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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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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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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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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BUSINESS ETIQUETTE,

CUSTOMS AND PROTOCOL

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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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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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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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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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Decisions are made at the top of the company, either by one person or a small council

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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DO’S AND DON’TS IN

IRAN CULTURE

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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 iran.

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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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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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THANK YOU!FOR

ATTENTİONSALİ REZA HAKİMİ