In order to strengthen Iran's regional collaborations in the field of information and communications technologies, ICT Minister Isa Zarepour attended the 12th Transport and Communication Forum in Turkey.
The event was organized by Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure at Ataturk Airport on Oct. 6-8, the government’s news website, Dolat.ir, reported.
The forum, themed Logistics-Mobility-Digitalization, gathered ICT and transportation ministers from 55 countries in conferences, roundtable meetings, sectoral discussion sessions and bilateral meetings to discuss the optimization of communication systems and future digital visions.
Delivering an inaugural address at the forum, Zarepour provided a brief overview of Iran’s ICT attainments and capabilities, while emphasizing the necessity of telecom services in improving the quality of life worldwide.
Iran introduced its talented startups and tech firms working in various ICT fields, such as content development, cross-border data traffic and mobile network operation, to regional markets.
Zarepour emphasized that the establishment of regional ICT platforms would aid in the realization of a prosperous digital future.
The official then met with Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoglu and discussed potential collaboration in the fields of ICT infrastructure, border transit and the establishment of joint border data centers.
Karaismailoglu welcomed the proposal and expressed readiness for joint projects, citing Turkey's experience and expertise in various technology fields, including telecom and satellite.
Zarepour and his Turkish counterpart signed an agreement to implement joint ICT projects, develop cyber security measures and fill existing digital gaps.
Iran's ICT minister also met with Azerbaijan's Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Rashad Nabi Oghlu Nabiyev.
During the meeting, Zarepour proposed the establishment of a joint data center with Azerbaijan to host content and upgrade data storage for both parties.
"Such a data center can improve the quality of internet service for users in Azerbaijan and Iran," he said.
Zarepour also suggested that Iranian and Azeri tech companies collaborate to help upgrade existing ICT infrastructures and connect local tech ecosystems to exchange knowledge and experience in a synergistic move.
Previous Regional Efforts
In October 2020, Russia called for establishing stronger ties with Iran in ICT and space technology fields.
In addition, Russia hosted several Iranian commercial and tech delegations in the past year, including the 15th International Aviation and Space Salon (also known as MAKS Air Show) in the city of Zhukovsky in August 2019 and the INNOPROM International Industrial Trade Fair in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in July 2019.
Underlining the promising results of these visits, the ex-vice president for science and technology, Sorena Sattari, told reporters that Russian tech firms have shown readiness to forge ties with Iranian knowledge-based companies, especially in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, space, aviation, cognitive sciences and new energies.
“As a result, an Iranian knowledge-based company signed a €2 million deal with a Russian company on the sidelines of the MAKS Air Show. Iranian tech firms also won accolades at Azerbaijan's high-tech exhibition called Bakutel 2019,” he said.
According to the officials, Iran’s strong presence in such events can increase the prospects of Iranian startups finding customers in the host countries, which are potential markets for innovative products and services.
Earlier in September 2019, an Iranian delegation attended the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications Conference held in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan.
Iran’s former ICT minister, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, met Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Askar Zhumagaliyev and discussed ways of expanding ICT infrastructures in rural and urban areas and digitalization of businesses.
In an effort to expand ties with Kazakhstan, Jahromi called for holding joint exhibitions and conferences in the field of communication technologies. He also invited Kazakh ICT officials and tech teams to visit Iran's annual technological exhibitions like Elecomp.
In addition, Iran and Armenia are working on the joint establishment of technology parks and the development of communication infrastructure.
Extraterritorial Tech Hubs
In another attempt to strengthen the country’s scientific and economic ties with regional countries and allow local knowledge-based businesses to market and sell their products, Iran has established tech hubs in Syria, China and Kenya.
The centers will offer shared workspace and space for a permanent exhibition to knowledge-based enterprises.
Iranian tech enterprises, according to officials, can utilize the facility to boost cooperation with overseas peers, in addition to marketing their products and finding production partners.
The tech centers will also undertake market research, advertisement, sales and product registration.
The Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology plans to establish similar hubs in four states, namely Russia, Iraq, Malaysia and Oman, by the end of the current fiscal year (March 2022), in order to boost the country's tech exports.
Although progressing slowly, Iran's investments in promoting the national tech ecosystem and introducing the country's potentials to the regional market have been successful.
Lending extended support to the development of startups and knowledge-based companies has been high on the government's agenda since 2013.
