German exports Iran grow thanks to sanctions ease

(MENAFN) German exports to Iran grew 30 percent last year to reach USD2.72 billion, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed, supported by the easing of Western sanctions amid progress in talk on the country's nuclear program, Al-Arabiya reported.

Germany is traditionally Iran's biggest trading partner in Europe and last year's growth, the sharpest in a decade, was driven by sales of machinery, agriculture and pharmaceutical products, the Office said.

German firms that had been forced to reduce their activity in Iran when the sanctions were tighter include Siemens. Others with business interest there include Bayer and utilities RWE and E.ON.