Russia’s technology and internet company Yandex has reportedly denied plans to open an office in Iran. 

The Moscow-based search engine’s announcement came after Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi said the company intended to provide services in Iran.

“Currently we have no plans to open new offices,” Azerbaijan’s news provider, Trend, quoted Yandex press office as saying on Monday.

Iran's conclusion of nuclear talks has triggered a rush by international companies for business with the country but they usually try to keep their negotiations under wraps, waiting for the removal of sanctions to make them public.

Leading technology companies Microsoft, Oracle and IBM and Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto have announced interest in Iran’s information and communication technology industry, a government official has said.

Representatives of the companies visited Iran’s pavilion at the Gitex Technology Exhibition Week, the region's largest ICT exhibition, in Dubai recently and discussed possible cooperation, Ruhollah Estiri said.

“So far, we have had good negotiations with Microsoft, Oracle, IBM and Gemalto and the companies have announced readiness to have a presence in Iran’s ICT industry,” said Estiri who is general manager for business development at the vice president’s office for science and technology.

IBM called for cooperation with leading Iranian universities which were decided to get government support for possible sharing of the US corporation’s educational packages, the Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying.

“We announced that while being a suitable market and a potential regional hub for sales of ICT products, Iran aims to transfer technology and have joint investment (tie-ups),” Estiri said.

In their talks with Microsoft, the multinational American company declared its readiness to provide Iran with technology license for ICT products, he said.

“Microsoft is ready for transfer of technology from zero to 100 to Iran for production under the company’s license,” Estiri added.

Meanwhile, Gemalto’s manager for the Middle East is about to travel to Iran within a month to get permit for an office after “good negotiations” held with the world’s biggest producer of SIM cards.

By Press TV