Vice president: Growth of knowledge-based firms in Iran heralds evolution in innovation

The exponential growth of the knowledge-based companies in recent years in Iran has set the stage for a giant leap in innovation in the country, the Iranian vice president for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy says.

Rouhollah Dehghani told a press conference that the knowledge-based companies’ revenues last year exceeded 2 billion dollars, three times higher than the previous year. 

“Any wise and knowledgeable person who views the efforts and transformation from the outside, sees the promise of transformation in this ecosystem,” he noted.

He stressed that the government has adopted a policy to support the companies under the current circumstances that the country is reeling from draconian Western sanctions, even for importing medicines. 

 “The capability is more prominent today as we are able to fulfill our most important needs with the help of knowledge-based companies without needing other countries,” Dehghani said, citing production of insulin at home as an example, “which was once a serious problem in the country but has now been realized with the help of knowledge-based companies.”

The vice president also highlighted the knowledge-based companies’ cooperation with other countries, stating, “Considering the capacity that exists in knowledge-based companies, we came to the conclusion to operate in smaller sectors with higher technological and economic values, such as electronics, engines, navigation, etc., and play a role in the aviation industry with other countries and continue to participate in the production of a platform under a consortium consisting of several companies.”