Iran to Set Up Offshore Bank in Kish Island: Report
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran plans to open an offshore bank in the southern island of Kish “within a month” in a bid to facilitate its trade transactions and process international payments, a report said.
According to the report carried by Forbes magazine on Sunday, Iran will set up a bank on Kish Island, which is a free trade zone, to transfer money and facilitate domestic and foreign investment activities.
The report added that it will be established in July, citing a source in the Kish Free Zone Organization.
The aim is to tap into rising demand for cross-border banking transactions, according to comments by Ali Jirofti, deputy head of the Kish Free Zone Organization.
It comes as some European banks are still tentative to re-engage with Iranian financial entities despite a lasting nuclear between Iran and six world powers.
The banks’ conservatism and wait-and-see approach comes from the fear they could face US legal action if they move to reestablish links with Iran.
Based on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers- Washington has agreed to lift “secondary sanctions” related to Iran’s nuclear program but its “primary sanctions” linked to baseless terrorism and human rights accusations still remain in place.
Several Iranian officials have warned European banks that they might miss out on opportunities provided by the lifting of sanctions if they continue to dawdle on returning to the country.
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi said back in March that European banks are overcautious in forging renewed connections with Iran, warning that they “will fall behind under the new situation.”
