Many of those attending the event were unwilling to talk to journalists. A few participants who had flown in from Tehran to showcase their companies said that the “risks are too high”.
Faranak Askari is a rare female entrepreneur at the conference and founder of online travel agent Toiran.com
Raised in Canada, she has returned to Tehran. She acknowledges the difficulties of doing business but is keen to point out the potential for growth, and that every problem creates an opportunity for another entrepreneur.
“It’s good in a way, and it’s difficult and challenging in another,” Ms Askari said.
“It’s good in that there is only us doing this business, but unfortunately we cannot find enough sources to get good information. We have to travel city-by-city.”
She also notes that Iran’s internet is slow and making payments is difficult because of financial restrictions imposed by international banks.
Many Iranians at the forum hope that improved relations between themselves and the rest of the world can help ease these banking problems.
Amir Ali Amiri is a partner at ACL, a family conglomerate selling a wide range of goods, from Renault trucks to consumer electronics.
“Overall, six months down from these interim agreements, little has happened that is visible to your average businessman in Iran,” Mr Amiri said.
“Financial intermediaries around the globe self-opt out still for the fear of reprisals by the US Treasury. If those financial intermediaries on the whole do not partake in any scheme, allowed or not, it cannot happen.”