UANI Applauds State of Maryland for Plans to Bar International Firms Active in Iran from State Contracts

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) applauded the State of Maryland’s Board of Public Works today for its plans to bar 22 international companies now doing business with Iran from receiving Maryland state contracts.

“Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act.”

In April, Maryland unanimously passed legislation based on UANI model legislation barring companies active in Iran from doing business with the state. The legislation was signed into law the next month.

As the Baltimore Sun noted today: “United Against Nuclear Iran has criticized Hyundai Heavy Industries [one of the 22 companies on the list] for its dealings with Iran.” UANI did the same for fellow South Korean industrial conglomerate Daelim, which Maryland has also identified will be subject to the ban.

Said UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace:

We applaud the State of Maryland for its aggressive plans to enforce its Iran debarment law. No business that is active in Iran should be receiving U.S. tax dollars, and Maryland, by enforcing the law, will force these companies to choose between the Iranian regime and Maryland taxpayers.

Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daelim continue to try to have it both ways when it comes to its business. We hope that Maryland’s actions will help push Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daelim to finally make the responsible decision, and stop doing business in Iran.

Maryland is one of six states, starting with California, that has passed Iran debarment legislation, adapted from UANI model legislation. UANI unveiled the "Iran Business Certification Act" in June 2009, which shortly thereafter was introduced in U.S. Congress as the "Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act."

As the Financial Times reported, California's debarment law, the 2010 Iran Contracting Act, succeeded in pressuring multinational corporations to end their business in Iran. The State of California publishes a list of companies prohibited from doing business with California due to their work in Iran.

Click here to view UANI's State Certification map.
Click here to visit UANI's model legislation home page.