Iran’s tech authorities have joined forces to establish a “digital economy park” in Tehran to boost Iran’s startup ecosystem and increase tech firms’ share in the economy.
During an event on Monday, Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi and Sorena Sattari, vice president for science and technology, signed an agreement related to the project, the ministry’s website, Ict.gov.ir, reported.
The park is to be established adjacent to Pardis Teck Park, located in Tehran’s eastern satellite city Pardis, in a 30-hectare land.
The facility will house tech units and innovators working in different fields related to ICT and digital economy.
According to the officials, the project is aimed at providing equipment for empirical research and localizing the technology.
Based on the deal, the ICT Ministry agreed to provide the required land and a part of preparation expenses, along with the technical infrastructures.
The Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology also committed to pay at least 500 billion rials ($2.8 million) as an initial budget for setting up the project.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Jahromi said the project strengthens ties between the ministry and the vice presidential office in line with developing the knowledge-based economy.
ICT Ministry agreed to provide land and a part of expenses, along with technical infrastructures, in addition to at least 500 billion rials ($2.8 million) as an initial budget for setting up the project
Pointing to the damaging effects of US sanctions against Iran, he said, “Economic systems that can survive and grow under constraints will achieve a sustainable power. Fortunately, Iran’s knowledge-based economy is flourishing with the help of talented and innovative young generation,” he said, hoping that such collaborations will soon deliver.
Referring to the expansion of Pardis Tech Park, Jahromi said a large data center will soon be established in the area.
“The data center will be the largest database for the National Information Network, making the park a data hub for the country,” he said.
NIN was initially launched in August 2016 as an alternative and independent network with content compatible with Islamic values. It is reportedly designed to facilitate Iranian users’ access to indigenous content.
Jahromi said the data center will become partially operational in August, providing extra capacity for NIN data processing and services.
Also speaking at the event, Sattari focused on the productivity of knowledge-based firms in the park.
“Tech units in Pardis park managed to raise their income to 110 trillion rials [$621.5 million] in the last Iranian year [ended March 19, 2020],” he said.
“The figure indicates that the government’s investment in the technology ecosystem is paying off. The good news of technological achievements is frequently heard from Pardis Tech Park. The growth will be accelerated with the park’s expansion plan and its conversion to a tech town.”
Sattari noted that plans are to enlarge the park to over 1,000 hectares.
Pardis Branches
Located 20 km east of Tehran, Pardis Tech Park and its two branches, called Azadi and Highway, have been established by the vice presidential office, offering free and subsidized workspace for technology companies and emerging startups.
Azadi Innovation Factory was launched in August 2018 at an abandoned chemicals factory near Azadi Square, west of Tehran. The factory is backed by the vice presidential office and is managed by Sharif University of Technology.
Highway, the capital's second innovation factory, is still under construction but is partially operational. The factory is being established in an old building near Tehran’s Nobonyad Square.
The space, which is 5,000 square meters wide, was formerly owned by Iranian Space Agency.
The most recent project inaugurated in the park expanded the park by a new center covering 21 hectares.
The new center named “Entrepreneurship Pardis” is expected to become operational in the coming fall.
The center is planned in 85 sections, including workspace for fledgling and professional startups developing high-tech products, research and development units, laboratories and workshops.
Amin-Reza Khaleqian, the park’s head of International Affairs Office, said around 300 companies are currently settled in the park.
“With the opening of the third space, the number will rise further,” he said.
He noted that attracting companies and startups working on advanced medical equipment, information and communication technologies, electronics and their applications are high on the park’s priority.
Khaleqian said when the third branch is completed, the total area under the management of Pardis Tech Park will reach 60 hectares.
Officials at the park believe the center can help establish up to five branches in the capital in the form of innovation factories.
Giving support to new startups and technology firms has been on the government's agenda since 2013 when President Hassan Rouhani began his first term in office.
