Asia

Iran relies on German experts

The German “Senior Expert Service” provides professionals in the whole world. Since the nuclear deal with Iran are back in power and the sanctions, increasing the demand for retired German experts.

The “Senior Expert Service” (SES) with headquarters in Bonn has taught since its founding in 1983, over 27,000 retired German experts to use in the whole world. Including not only engineers and technicians but also for teachers, bakers, farmers and even beekeepers. The principle of the SES is: “help people to help themselves”.

Although Iran was pretty early on as a possible country on the list of the SES and German know-there traditionally is in demand, there since 1983, only 121 requests. The war with Iraq in the 1980s, political tensions with the Iranian Regime and, most recently, the embargo policy of the world community due to the Iranian nuclear program ensured that the cooperation with the SES remained at a very low level. It was only when the
The nuclear agreement was signed a year ago (14.07.2016), the situation has changed.

Professionals welcome

Rene Harun, Director of the German-Iranian chamber of foreign trade (AHK), confirmed in an interview with Deutsche Welle that both Iranian as well as German companies interested in a massive Expansion of trade relations. The experts of the SES module. The AHK advises more than 2000 companies and is a sought-after partner for companies from both countries. German companies want to establish themselves on the Iranian market back on your feet and ask for travel market analysis, or support for delegation. Iranian enterprises, in turn, want to seize the Moment and according to the year-long sanctions modernisation gaps. In particular, the SES comes into play.

Rainer von Rabenau with Iranian engineers in a factory in Mashhad

The APC as a Partner of the SES gives. Companies need the assistance of a specialist, apply for this on the AHK in the SES. The SES searches in its database, according to experts with the appropriate profile. From the existing candidates, the applicant seeks the end of company a experts. Flights and accommodation costs will be paid by the applicant. The expert gets a “pocket money”, which is not usually more than ten euros per day. Three weeks, a project lasts for use abroad in General, but often a consequence of agreed operations. Sometimes relationships that last for years.

Challenges to year-long sanctions

The lifting of the sanctions, the Iranian companies under increased pressure. Through the year long foreclosure, there would have been no international competition. “Now you need to prepare yourself to compete in an open market,” says Rainer von Rabenau, who was sent by the SES in the summer of 2016, in Iran, in an interview with Deutsche Welle. The 74-year degree in engineering, however, is sceptical about the chances of success for many Iranian companies. Not only the quality but also in terms of the price, would have to be the Iranian company now with the Chinese and Korean competition. In this outspoken criticism, a further advantage of the SES expert. An employee would not have been so open to the words and perhaps the courage.

The nuclear talks with Iran have dragged on for over years

The criticism is accepted, among other things, because the German economy has an excellent reputation in Iran. The Rene Harun confirmed. “Made in Germany” is perhaps the most sought-after seal of quality for industrial products. In particular, in the areas of automotive, metal processing, chemical, food industry and education you would like to learn on the Iranian side of the German market leaders. Not least, it is precisely in these industries that still have decades-old relationships from the time before the Revolution of 1979.

Reorientation after the break

But the long break, the German-Iranian trade relations was to follow. “In the past, our company has produced with German machinery, and the license of a well-known German manufacturer of brakes,” says Fataneh Taefi, an Iranian engineer who had studied in Germany and then in their home city of Mashhad in the North-East of Iran is returned. Today, she works freelance as a Translator and tutor. You will be hired by the company in Iran, the correspondence with the German chamber of Commerce and the SES and to take care of the experts in Iran. “In the meantime, however, many machines have been replaced by Chinese and Korean manufacturers.” However, there would also be in the company of Taefi currently interpreted, continue to demand for German Expertise. “When we noticed problems in the quality of the cast iron, we have to get over our long-standing Partner in Germany, a German expert for metallurgy conveyed, which was then sent via the SES to us and was able to advise. This has us so convinced that we have to ask other experts for other areas.”

Iran-specific issues there are, according to Fataneh Taefi no. Differences in mentality? Yes, there is, but usually, the experts were very open. The high esteem of the Iranians for the experienced professionals do the Rest to make the stay very pleasant and enriching. To be remembered only at the very beginning, Taefi, you need to learn that a German engineer need, under certain circumstances, a coffee machine, in order to be happy. “We had not considered before.” But after the coffee maker had been procured, everything went smooth. “The expert came to for many years, every three months, to us. If he had not felt comfortable, he would have done hardly that,” is Taefi convinced.

Rainer von Rabenau in front of a factory in Mashhad

Rabenau reported his experiences to the SES: cleanliness, for example, was a theme in Germany, perhaps as a matter of course, you do not have to worry. But in many countries where Rabenau not have worked. “And where I have Dirt, I can produce any quality.” This is a strength of the SES-experts. With your experience, you can analyze environmental factors quickly and help to overcome difficulties.

So, what’s next?

Rene Harun, the AHK Iran sees a strong increase in the demand for the services of the SES. And the SES was a unique Instrument for the deepening of the German-Iranian trade relations. Also Fataneh Taefi is the model of the SES completely convinced. “I think it’s just a shame that so few firms know that they are formed in this way and errors can be avoided.” But that will change with the Verteifung of economic relations, Harun, the AHK Iran for sure.