Sample Projects

Owing to a track record that dates back to 1993, and the diverse expertise of our team, Atieh Bahar has been involved in a myriad of projects, across a number of sectors. To give you a better idea of the type of work that we do, we have provided a short description of some sample projects below:

Mapping Out the Pipes: Untangling Iranian Oil & Gas Pipelines & Pipeline Companies

A European midstream company decides that Iran could be a good potential market for its services, but needs more information about the nation’s current pipelines grid. More importantly, it wants to understand how to best approach this market. Is it better to go solo or work along with a local firm as a joint venture? What are the pros and cons of each approach? What does the local capability look like? They hired Atieh Bahar to help them find out.

Hard Digging: A Deep Look at the Heavy Construction Equipment Market

A Japanese conglomerate with years of experience in Iran was in the process of evaluating their strategy for the heavy construction machinery business. Despite being a major player in this market, they realized that they did not have a clear picture of the sector. Understandably so, given the paucity of data and the fact that Iran imports a lot of secondhand heavy equipment. Atieh Bahar was hired to provide them with key information that they needed to come up with their future strategy. Our report not only gave a picture of what the market looks like today, but also reviewed government and corporate policies to paint a silhouette of what the 5-10 year horizon is likely to look like.

Social Fiber: Understanding the Business Environment of a Remote Area

A few years back a major oil and gas contractor was awarded a project in a remote area and dove in without an understanding of the local setting or culture. They ended up hiring laborers from rival villages and were left wondering what happened when disaster ensued. Our client, a European major, played it smart and asked Atieh Bahar’s experts to provide them with a social baseline study to avoid such complications. After extensive desk research and interviews with experts based in Tehran, our team traveled to the area to talk to a diverse group of local stakeholders to make sure it has a complete and accurate picture of the key issues and concerns in that province. The study also helped the client identify and evaluate options for potential social investment projects.

Making the Connection: Looking at the Telecommunication Sector

A major European telecommunications company asked Atieh Bahar to study that sector in Iran and find out more about the Second Operator project, with the aim to recommend a suitable entry strategy into this market. Our consultants managed to go beyond providing the requested information and identified other investment opportunities unexpected by the client.

Stocking the Shelves: Evaluating Prospects for a Hypermarket Chain in Iran

A major international hypermarket operator was considering expanding its business into Iran. Atieh Bahar provided the client with a number of reports, ranging from competitor analysis and the Iranian real estate market to strategic human resource and labor market issues. The reports where complemented by a series of business trips of the client’s executive managers to Iran, which where organized from A to Z by Atieh Bahar. Initially, the client requested several Iranian consulting companies to bid for the project and used in addition for specific areas individual consultants. After winning the tender, Atieh Bahar in short time managed to gain the full confidence of the client, due to its professional and multi-disciplinary approach. In addition, contrary to the other consultants, Atieh Bahar was not seeking a personal interest in the project and could provide unbiased analysis.

Banking on Success: Appraising International Banking Operations in Iran

A London-based bank was evaluating the possibility of opening a representative office in Iran. While looking at Iran as an important future growth market, the bank's top management had concerns regarding the type and quantity of short- and medium-term business. That’s when they decided to ask Atieh Bahar to prepare an appraisal of the present state and trend of international banking operations in Iran. In addition, Atieh Bahar developed a detailed market entry concept, based on the client bank’s strengths and weaknesses, recommending a concrete list of banking services that could be introduced to the market. The report was followed by a formal presentation and brainstorming session with the top management at the bank's headquarter.

Launching a First: Iran’s Mutual Fund

A Middle East-based investment bank was interested to develop the first foreign-based country fund for investing in Iran. Although the client had considerable experience in asset management in the Middle East, its management was not sure how to turn the market potential in Iran into concrete business. Atieh Bahar advised the client on the most suitable mechanism regarding transfer and repatriation of foreign funds, assisted in establishing contacts with key partners in Iran and provided valuable information on the Tehran Stock Exchange and listed companies. Atieh Bahar would guide the client through a period of 2 years from the first idea to launch of the fund.

Where’s the Beef? Setting-up a Cold-Cut Factory in Iran

A group of Iranian and Arab investors got together and created a joint venture which intended to start-up a new cold-cut factory in Iran. But before importing the expensive machinery they asked the right question: is the Iranian market already saturated for these products by the many competitors? If so, are there any profitable niches left? Atieh Bahar was commissioned to conduct a detailed study on the country’s meat and meant products market. By identifying the competitors, their products and market shares, we helped the client develop an educated market penetration strategy.