Over 2.5 Million Iranians Reside Abroad
He told IRNA more than one million out of the foreign-based Iranians live in the United States and Canada and the remaining reside in other parts of the globe.
Based on figures collected by Iran's UN Mission from Iranian academicians and researchers abroad, about 7,000 part-time and full-time Iranian professors live in the U.S. with at least the same number residing in other parts of the world, said the official.
"I do not know the exact amount of expatriates' capitals," said Atashi adding that "The $400 billion figure which has recently been mentioned in the press is not unrealistic."
Atashi pointed to several Iranians with assets over $one billion, adding that since Iranians habitably purchase their residence where they settle, the total value of their residences is estimated to be roughly $125 billion."
On ways to attract such a huge pool of capital to the country, he added: "Investors are by nature risk averse and Iranians are not exception to this."
Atashi said with prudent planning on the part of the government and with the appropriate and adequate preparation, expatriates are keen to return and invest in their homeland.
In the recent years and specially after the end of the imposed war and resolution of some outstanding issues including illegal flight, military service, and an improved impression of the country, more expatriates have shown interest for returning to Iran, Atashi noted.
Earlier on Tuesday Atashi said that Iranian expatriates are source of pride for Iran and they should not be looked upon unfavorably.
"If we see our expatriates in a negative light then they will gradually turn to our enemies," he said.
He said that currently each expatriate professional has a value of $one million for the country of origin adding, "A mere 10,000 professional residing abroad would constitute a huge pool of unused capital."
He also characterized the two categories of 'psychological and administrative' obstacles facing the return of expatriates to Iran.
Negative news on Iran are much readily exacerbated and disseminated abroad and therefore will augur a negative impression of domestic scene to them, he said.