Turkey has advantages in Iran, but Europe will be biggest rival

Turkish companies who have deeply-rooted relations in Iran have great potential because it is not so easy to do business with the traditional structure there but Europeans will be a strong rival in this market as they are advantegous financially, according the head of the Turkish-Iranian business councilAs Iran slowly opens up to trade following the lifting of international sanctions, Turkey will be competing with Europe to secure advantages in the lucrative neighboring market, Foreign Economic Relations Board (DE?K) President Bilgin Aygül has told the Hürriyet Daily News.  

"Iran would always prefer Turkey but it is entering a period where it will be evaluating numerous alternatives. All the European countries, as well as Japan and China, have been going to Iran with large delegations since July [2015]. These visits are supported by political delegations as well," said Aygül, who also serves as the president of the Turkish-Iranian Business Council.

Let's start with a brief overview of current relations.

There is a solid economic structure and a good network of political social relations between the two countries, which have a common culture and values, the same consumer habits and a similar population composition. Iran has always been Western-looking.
 
Even after the Islamic revolution?

Iran had its face towards the West for many years. It has Western norms. Its industrial structure is for instance taken from Europeans. Iran sees Turkey as important both in terms of logistics but also in cooperation and joint investment.

When talk about a common culture, I am not only talking about the Azerbaijanis (in the country), but due to TV series even the Persians are speaking Turkish. Iran is one of the few...