Iran’s digital economy poised for significant growth
Iran’s Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, Ruhollah Dehghani, highlighted the nation’s digital economy as a pivotal yet under-realized force in the global landscape.
Speaking at the 24th International Exhibition of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Digital Economy (TELCOM 2023), Dehghani emphasized that while the digital economy comprises 15% of the world’s GDP, in Iran, it currently stands at 6%.
He underscored the potential for development, asserting that Iran has a 2.5-fold growth opportunity compared to the global GDP. Despite comprising only 1% of the world’s population, Iran has the capacity for a fivefold increase in its digital economy, potentially reaching $150 billion.
Dehghani emphasized the importance of technology-based foundations for the digital economy and identified human resources as equally critical.
He praised Iran’s cost-effective and skilled workforce and advocated for strategic measures to retain educated talents, citing the substantial costs associated with attracting and maintaining such expertise.
Acknowledging government efforts in infrastructure development and reduced intervention, Dehghani commended public engagement in this burgeoning economy, evident in the high acceptance of knowledge-based companies’ shares.
He also highlighted his support for pioneering technologies and the knowledge-based economy, emphasizing their role in driving forward-looking research and fostering market and technological advancements in information technology, communication, and digital domains.
