How Germany became a good market to Iran for advanced technology?
June 21, 2021, 10:59 am

Germany

It is likely, that, Germany remains a hub for Advanced or sophisticated technology sales to Iran that would be used in Iran's nuclear programme. The Joint Comprehensive Action Agreement (JCPOA), five plus one, imposes severe restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities designed to get items for a nuclear weapon.

What made the case more complicated ,was withdrawing President Donald Trump from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed the economic sanctions. Despite the imposition of US sanctions, Iran has continued to violate the agreement, by producing more enriched uranium than permitted. Iran continues its activities to possess weapons of mass destruction, according to a report by the German government intelligence agency on 02.06. 2018.

The German intelligence report covers Iran's security threats to the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg, which has become a vital region for Iranian intelligence networks. The Baden-Württemberg regional state said that, Iranian intelligence's works seriously to get the advanced technology from inside Germany that because of engineering and advanced technology companies there.

Smuggling Advance technology

Iran's strategy to circumvent export restrictions German intelligence reports, revealed, Iran's strategy to break Germany's export restrictions and embargo, it has already been able to purchase advanced technology from within Germany and Europe.

The reports identified China, Turkey and some other Asian countries, as a third country, to re-export advanced technology to Iran. German-Iranian trade volume increased by 6 percent to about 1.8 billion Euros in 2020. This is a new development, though well below the 2017 figure of 3.4 billion Euros and far from the 2010 exchange volume of 4.7 billion Euros.

German domestic intelligence reported that Iran continued to make efforts to get items and know-how, that could be used in developing weapons of mass destruction and to improve advanced missile systems. Report added that Iran's illegal activities were largely focused on the southern German regional state, Baden-Württemberg, which has many companies Technology and Specialized Engineering.

The Baden-Württemberg Intelligence revealed that Iran has made extensive intelligence activities, spying. German Federal Intelligence Agency has also released a report focused on the security threats that Germany faced in 2020, ranging from Iran's pursuit of illegal technology for its nuclear weapons program to its increasing attempts to secure materials for its program Missiles. The report revealed a significant increased support for Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah inside Germany.

Cyber attacks for technology

Iranian Cyber attacks for technology was going on In parallel with its traditional Iranian intelligence activities inside Germany, it also uses cyber attacks in order to get advanced technology from German companies, factories and laboratories.

The annual report issued by the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution for 2020 warns of a high threat level from Iranian attacks.The report states that Iranian cyber have significantly increased their technological ability to carry out cyber operations.The attack was part of an effort by Iranian agents to access to sensitive information in Germany. Workers at German companies received phishing emails purporting to be messages offering them a job.

The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service along with German and Swedish agencies confirmed the Iran's spying activities in Europe. According to the Dutch report, the security service investigated networks that tried to get knowledge and products to develop weapons of mass destruction. Dutch intelligence added that the Dutch intelligence services are investigating how countries are trying to obtain the knowledge and goods they need to make weapons of mass destruction.

Assessment

Iran uses all means to cover up its illegal arms activity in Europe, including setting up “cover companies”, using intermediaries, and dismantle exports production, technology to avoid German export security system. It is expected that the Iranian intelligence agencies will continue to enhance their activities, in an advanced technical manner, and that will represent a threats to German national security.

Iranian cyber-attacks will continue to target German companies by deceiving their employees to install malware. It seems that Iranian intelligence is working intensively to exploit the presence of an Iranian community, or perhaps Afghans, or people living in Germany of multiple nationalities, who have a business or family relationship with Iran, by pressuring them to use them as a means of espionage and obtaining advanced technology. This of course be after providing covers or commercial interfaces by Iranian security services, or by registered in Germany or through commercial delegations arriving in Germany to make direct deals German companies Legally.

What should be done, that Germany and other countries should, impose more controls on exports of dual-use production, items, and reviewing the background and registration of operating companies. Germany is also required to give national security a priority more than economy benefits with Iran.

By: Jassim Muhammad -Bonn levant

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.