Several new projects have been inaugurated in the northwestern province of Gilan to expand technological facilities for fledgling startups and knowledge-based companies.
During a daylong trip to the province on Tuesday, Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari inaugurated several projects and visited a tech exhibition, the vice presidential office’s website Isti.ir reported.
Gilan’s Science and Technology Park was the first site visited by Sattari. He officially inaugurated a development project at the park to widen the shared workplace specified for startups and tech firms.
The new site, measuring 1,400 square meters, comprises four workshop sheds that have been launched recently. Knowledge-based companies working on the design and production of industrial machinery, aquaculture equipment, sterilized organic fertilizers and industrial grease have already started functioning at the site.
Sattari then visited an exhibition of tech items developed by 12 teams at the tech park.
Surveying the progress of a tech town project in the province was next on Sattari’s itinerary. The project underway is spread over 30 hectares, eight hectares of which will soon be inaugurated as the first phase.
The vice president also launched a private technology and research fund and signed the contract for an innovation factory project.
Later the same day, he was welcomed by tech units at the University of Gilan exhibiting their 50 best innovative items.
Acknowledging the university’s move toward innovation and technology, Sattari said it is encouraging to know that the academia is seeking practical solutions for issues facing the country.
“Education should generate added value with the help of innovative professionals,” he said.
“Gilan Province abounds with entrepreneurs and creative youngsters, which should be valued and supported. To make this entrepreneurship yield the best result, generate employment and boost the local economy, all should show extend support.
Multidimensional Support
The Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology has been a staunch supporter of startups since President Hassan Rouhani took office in 2013 and set policies for promoting the technology ecosystem.
Suggesting several measures to ease the hardships of knowledge-based companies and startups, Sattari earlier said knowledge-based firms and startups need not grapple with basic requirements.
“The tech units should not be worried about the lack of a workplace. In case there is any incomplete or abandoned building, my office will finance their restoration and preparation for startup use,” he said.
He added that insurance and tax fees should be waived for the tech units. “Establishing an office to specifically address such issues can help them get rid of frustrating processes and extra expenses,” he said.
“The relevant financial resources should also be adequate to meet the units’ financial needs in the form of loans and grants.”
Sattari emphasized that promoting a knowledge-based economy is the most efficient and affordable strategy to address the current economic headwinds and remove impediments in the way of boosting domestic production.
For promoting a knowledge-based economy, Iranian officials believe that the conventional oil-based economyic system should be upgraded and the country’s reliance on natural resource revenues must be minimized.
To achieve this aim, authorities have been taking measures to support tech firms, boost Iranian startups and develop technology ecosystem.
Establishing shared workplaces and offering financial aid are among services offered to knowledge-based units besides technical, legal and commercial consultancy.
Nationwide Efforts
Over the past few years, numerous tech parks and innovation factories have been established throughout the country to offer shared workspace for tech units.
Currently, there are seven tech parks in Tehran Province, most of which are backed by major Iranian universities, including Tarbiat Modarres University, University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University and Islamic Azad University.
These tech parks carry the name of universities backing them.
Innovation factories in Tehran, such as Azadi and Highway, have also attracted numerous tech teams and startups.
Azadi Innovation Factory was launched in August 2018 at an abandoned chemicals factory near Azadi Square, west of Tehran. The center is backed by the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology and is managed by Sharif University of Technology.
Highway, the capital's second innovation factory, is under construction. The factory is being established in an old building near Nobonyad Square on the northeastern flank of Tehran.
Tehran is not alone in its push for establishing innovation factories and tech parks. Numerous centers have also been launched across Iran.
Innovation factories are to be launched in Iranian metropolises by the vice presidential office to expand the knowledge-based ecosystems.
According to Esmaeil Qaderifar, an official with the Vice Presidential Office, innovation factory projects in the provinces of Khorasan Razavi and East Azarbaijan are almost complete and will become operational shortly.
“Tabriz in East Azarbaijan will get its third innovation factory when its construction project is completed,” he said.
"Feasibility studies are underway in Fars, Isfahan and Yazd provinces for introducing similar projects."
Qaderifar noted that the new projects resemble innovation factories in Tehran, namely Azadi and Highway.
“Provincial projects have also been established in abandoned factories to keep the projects cost-efficient,” he said.
The Roads and Urban Development Ministry, municipalities and governorates in the host cities are assisting the vice presidential office in implementing these projects.
At the innovation factories, startups and knowledge-based companies find legal, technical and financial support to develop their activities.
Given the avowed pledge of extending full support to those who are active in the tech ecosystem, Iran is expected to make its mark on the international stage.
