Press Release
12.10.2015 Istanbul
Investment Opportunities in Iran
Expertera, the first and only expertise resources company in Turkey and the region, will host an
exclusive, invitation-only panel event this Thursday, October 15th, about the investment
opportunities in the rapidly-developing Iranian market.
The event will bring together premiere experts on the Iranian market and senior executives from
Turkey’s leading corporations and private equity funds to discuss the key business opportunities and
risks, market entry methods and regulatory considerations associated with the expected lifting of
international sanctions against Iran.
Panelists will represent Iran’s key industries, including the retail, telecommunications, ecommerce,
technology and automotive industries, as well as the corporate finance, private equity and legal
industries.
Aligned with Expertera’s mission, the goal of the event is to connect decision-makers interested in the
Iranian market with experts who will share critical business insights and information to enable more
informed, timely and effective investment decisions.
Discussion topics:
- Why is there such substantial excitement about the potential opening up of the Iranian market?
- How should smart managers be preparing themselves for the potential opening up of the market?
- What are the industry-specific opportunities?
- What sort of risks will investors face given the underdeveloped market, sanctions and corruption?
- What is the biggest threat to their return?
- What are the best methods of market entry? How should investments be structured?
- What are the repatriation requirements for different industries?
Information about the panelists is on the following pages. All experts are either Iranian, based in Iran or
are active in the Iranian market.
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Panelists
Panelist-1
Farshid Golzadeh - Retail industry expert
An expert in the retail industry in Iran, with a particular focus on fast-moving consumer
goods. Farshid is the member of the Board and CEO of Refah, the largest retail
company in Iran. He has made a valuable contribution to developing modern chain
stores in Iran and has several leadership experiences in the sector. Over the past year,
he has also led the restructuring and redesign of Refah, incorporating higher quality
services and products, to its product portfolio.
Panelist-2
Said Rahmani – E-commerce and technology expert
An expert with extensive experience in the ecommerce, telecommunications and
technology sectors, with a focus on mobile solutions. Said is the SVP at Irdeto, a wholly
owned subsidiary of a multinational media group Naspers, where he is responsible for
business strategy, market development, corporate partnerships, investments and
mergers and acquisitions. He is very knowledgeable about the e-commerce market and
startup ecosystem in Iran.
Panelist-3
Hamid Bafghi – Telecommunications expert
A telecommunications expert with over 20 years of experience in strategy, marketing
and product and market development. Hamid has a proven track record of leading
teams and developing partnerships with major operators in the UK, Europe, Middle
East and Eastern European markets, in fixed, ISP and mobile sectors. He managed
several market entries for BT and also served as the Interim Managing Director for
Taliya, a leading mobile operator in Iran.
Panelist-4
Adrian Machayekhy – Automotive industry expert
An expert with over 25 years of in-depth experience in the automotive industry
throughout the Middle East, with a focus on Iran and Iraq. His expertise is in market
entry strategy, process improvement, industrial automation, restructuring and strategic
planning. Adrian has also served as a general manager at several premium car
dealerships including Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Daimler.
Panelist-5
Homan Harandian –Private equity expert
Co-Founder and CEO of Griffon Capital, the leading private equity fund with a proven
track record in Iran, including leading Iran’s first cross-border technology deal
(Digikala). The firm also plans to start two funds focused on Iranian investments by
the end of the year. Homan has 15 years of experience advising and assisting both
foreign and local investors to transact and maximize investment opportunity in the
Iranian market. He has deep knowledge and understanding of key sectors including
power, oil and gas, petrochemicals, among others.
Panelist-6
Ali Mashayekhi– Finance expert
CFO of the leading Iranian asset management firm, Turquoise Partners, that manages
over $70 million of foreign investment funds on the Tehran Stock Exchange (which
represents 90% of all foreign portfolio investment). The firm has more than 10 years
of track record in Iran and offers asset management, brokerage and corporate finance
services to foreign investors. Previously he was the head of investment banking at
Turquoise Partners. Ali also has experience at the Financial Services Authority (now
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FCA) in the UK, a leading global financial regulator that regulates the conduct of
over 70,000 financial institutions.
Moderator
Ali Ispahani – Private Equity expert
Co-founder and Managing Partner of Nev Ventures, a leading private equity firm
dedicated to investing in Iran, Ali is an experienced private equity professional with a
proven track record originating and executing deals in Turkey and abroad. Ali was
previously at Actera Group, the largest private equity firm in Turkey, where he was
involved in investments amounting to more than US$1bn in various industries
including FMCG, retail, transportation, media and financial institutions. Ali previously
led the corporate finance practice of McKinsey & Company in Turkey, where he
advised investors in Turkey, Europe and the Middle East.
Legal Expert
Mahdi Fattahi – A legal expert with global M&A and transaction experience
A seasoned corporate lawyer with global experience drafting contracts for large-scale
mergers and acquisitions and advising companies on effective transactions. He is an
attorney at M. Ebadi Tabrizi & Associates (a Legal 500 law firm) and the Head of
Contract Affairs at North Driiling Co. (listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange). He is a
member of the Iranian Central Bar Association and his practice areas include the oil
and gas and financial services industries and investment and international business law.
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