×
Enjoying ad-free content?
Since July 1, 2024, we have disabled all ads to improve your reading experience.
This commitment costs us $10,000 a month. Your support can help us fill the gap.
Support us
Our journalism is banned in Russia. We need your help to keep providing you with the truth.

Russian Billionaire Potanin First in Iranian Investment Race

A computer engineer checks equipment at an internet service provider in Tehran, Iran.

Billionaire Vladimir Potanin has become the first major Russian investor to buy assets in Iran after the lifting of sanctions, the Kommersant newspaper reported Wednesday.

Potanin's investment fund, New Winter Capital Partners (WCP), invested an undisclosed sum into Swedish firm Pomegranate, a shareholder in a number of Iranian Internet companies including the country's largest online retailer Digikala, Kommersant reported.

The was confirmed by the managing director of Winter Capital Advisors, a firm which consults for WCP.

According to Kommersant's unidentified source, the deal was completed in March.

The United Nations and the European Union lifted sanctions imposed on Iran over its missile program on Jan. 16, 2016.

The lifting of sanctions was followed with interest by a number of Russian investors, including software company ABBYY and Evgeny Roytman, who is set to implement the Russian Glonass satellite navigation system and mobile communication system in Iran, Kommersant reported.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more