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"Iran is one of the most attractive countries in the world in terms of its long-term potential" Ramin Rabii, Turquoise |
AS THE PROVIDER of the only opportunity for foreign investors to participate in the Tehran Stock Exchange not via a state-owned company, Turquoise Partners has a unique insight into Iran’s financial fortunes. "Iran is one of the most attractive countries in the world in terms of its long-term potential," says Ramin Rabii, managing director of the firm, which is a boutique investment bank specializing in the Middle Eastern country. He highlights three areas in particular. The first is the country’s demographic profile. With 70% of the population aged under 30 there is tremendous scope for a consumer boom in the next five to 10 years. Then there are the country’s natural resources. Iran is the world’s second-biggest producer of oil and gas. In addition, it is a big producer of zinc, copper and iron ore. "Iran has about 1% of the world’s population and land mass but 7% of the natural resources," says Rabii. The other attraction is the level of literacy and education.