Iran's ICT Minister, UNIDO Chief Sign Coop. Deal

 A statement of cooperation was signed between the UNIDO director general and Iran’s ICT minister on Friday in Vienna.
The agreement was signed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization chief, LI Yong, and ICT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic to the UN reported on Twitter.
Li said, “The partnership between Iran and UNIDO builds on the organization’s track record in boosting the performance of private sector producers through the promotion of industrial linkages and diversification, including by creating a favorable investment climate and a productive environment for startups and fast-growing organizations.”
Earlier reports stated that the government in Tehran and UNIDO were to discuss ways to support Iranian startups and create jobs in the key ICT sector.
Over the past years, Iranian startups have grown exponentially in terms of numbers and diversity of services. A large section of young and educated Iranians are working for online firms that have flourished across the country.
After taking office in 2013, President Hassan Rouhani has strongly supported startups as a priority of his government. Several state-backed startups accelerators, venture capital funds, and investment funds have been set up.
Following the imposition of new US sanctions last year, Iranian startups have been facing an uphill battle to sustain their operations. UNIOD’s support and expertise can help the sector in more ways than one.