TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Japanese financial services company JCB is going to distribute its credit cards in Iran within the next few months, an official at the Central Bank of Iran announced.





Following two weeks of meetings with the Japanese company, the Iranian customers can start to use JCB credit cards within the first half of the next Iranian year, Davoud Mohammadbeigi said on Monday.

He explained that Iranians can use the cards to easily purchase goods and services in Southeast Asia and Europe.

30 million shops in 130 countries worldwide accept the JCB cards, while the credit cards from American corporation VISA are used in twice as many as shops, Mohammadbeigi added.

He noted that there are restrictions on the presence of MasterCard and VISA in Iran, because they are American financial services companies.

JCB is the only international payment brand originating from Japan. Founded in 1961 as Japan Credit Bureau, JCB established dominance over the Japanese credit card market when it purchased Osaka Credit Bureau in 1968, and its cards are now issued in many countries.

Implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a lasting nuclear deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), has prompted many foreign companies to look for investment opportunities in Iran.

The JCPOA, which took effect on January 16, terminated all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran.

By Tasnim News Agency