Kantar, a leading global research, data and insight company, has signed an affiliation agreement with Iran’s Rahbar Bazaar Market Research Institute giving it a foothold in the Iranian market.

Kantar is the data investment management arm of WPP, a leading communications services group with billings of $73 billion and revenues of $19 billion.

Rahbar Bazaar was set up as a market research agency in 2003 by Afshin Vafadar and Azam Alibabaei, who both have backgrounds in market research, said a statement from the company.

On the deal, Stephen Hillebrand, CEO, Kantar Insights – Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, said: “There’s been a very high level of interest in Iran among our clients since the easing of the sanctions. With a population of over 80 million people, Iran presents a significant growth opportunity for many of our global clients.”

“This agreement with Rahbar Bazaar heralds our company’s commitment to help develop new business opportunities for our clients in this important growth market,” he stated.

Rahbar Bazaar’s clients include MCI, Henkel, Unilever, Hayat, and BAT Pars.

Afshin Vafadar, founder and CEO of Rahbar Bazaar, said: “We are excited about affiliating with Kantar in order to address the needs of our local clients and to attract new multinational clients.”

“We believe that access to Kantar’s global network of market research experts, its proprietary consumer insight and technology tools and its market research 'best practices', together with our dedication, local insights and expertise, along with our young motivated team will make a compelling service offering,” she stated.-TradeArabia News Service