Ali Saleh-Abadi said the number of letters of guarantee issued by the bank witnessed a near-double hike in 2016 compared to 2015, rising from 450 to 803.
The total value of the guarantee in those letters, according to Iran’s EXIM Bank CEO, experienced an even more significant growth of over five times, hitting 38.5 million dollars.
“In 2016, the bank opened transaction deals with 120 foreign partners thanks to the nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the subsequent lifting of some sanctions,” he said.
In Saleh-Abadi’s breakdown, 80 European banks from 24 countries, 41 banks from Asian nations and 10 banks from 9 African countries are included. He added that the highest level of ties is currently maintained with Italy, Russia and Germany.
On the post-JCPOA opportunities, Saleh-Abadi touched on the unfreezing of some Iranian assets blocked at foreign banks, including EihBank.
There are still obstacles in this regard, the CEO noted, blaming them on US efforts to exert pressure and issue threats against international institutions willing to expand ties with Iranian partners. “For instance, Germany’s Deutsche Bank is having reservations in its relations with Tehran, although things have relatively improved following the JCPOA,” he stated.
