Tech Projects Worth $135m Launched

President Hassan Rouhani launched several technology development projects worth 34 trillion rials ($135 million) on Thursday to create jobs and promote self-sufficiency.
Rouhani inaugurated the projects in the capital city Tehran via videoconference, the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology reported on its website Isti.ir.
The projects are financed jointly by the private sector and the vice presidential office, with the latter’s share amounting to only 1.45 trillion rials ($5.8 million).
The first project coming on stream is a production line of an influenza vaccine with a new formula, developed by the knowledge-based PharMED Salamat Company based in Tehran.
According to the company, the project will not only meet the domestic demand for flu vaccine, but also create 60 direct and 150 indirect jobs.
Also known as flu shots or flu jabs, influenza vaccines should be developed twice a year, as the influenza virus mutates rapidly.