According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Mahdi Faghihi, secretary of information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter, stated that Iran has not been able to obtain its own share of information and communication technology in the world, expressing: as predicted and confirmed by international units, we have a share of one percent of the world in terms of information and communication technology, which is not a favorable status.

Regarding the equal amount of investments in communication technology (CT) and information technology (IT), Faghighi expressed: it has been predicted that this share will change in the next few years, in a way that 90% of software, services and contents are allocated and only 10% is related to the infrastructure and network.  

Secretary of information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter emphasized the importance of recognition of ICT market in the world and division of market based on software of network infrastructure and content, affirming: some of the developed countries, who has put the basis of their economy based on information technology and its applications, recognize their growth to be associated with the development of startup ecosystems and support of unicorn startup (some of the technology monsters that have fast growth and can reach the value of more than one billion dollars) by forming some large unicorns from new and small countries of information technology.

He also marked: therefore, the information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter has followed up its plans based on the shift of paradigm in ecosystem of information technology in the world and in the form of seven major programs.

Focus on Development of New Businesses

Faghihi pointed out the life cycle of information and communication technology in the world, asserting: in the information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter, we have aimed to support businesses at the stage of birth, that are active in proportion to market needs of the country. Therefore, we call large companies and investors to support these businesses and form unicorns.

Monitoring the Implementation of Technology Appendices

In addition, he pointed out that the most important area for support of formation of some specialized unicorns is ICT area. In this regard, he added: not only we have not forgotten the infrastructure section of equipment and network, but also we have changed support methods, where direct payment to the producer is changed to the supplier.

Support of Some National Indictment Project in the Area of Information and Communication Technology

Secretary of information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter announced the support of several national indictment projects in the area of information and communication technology, that affect the life of people.

Drafting an Innovation Improvement Ecosystem

In another part of his speech, Faghihi expressed: the information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter has aimed to participate in improvement of innovation ecosystem and innovative financial supply by drafting articles, so that the burden on the shoulder of regulations is eliminated.

Formation of International Projects and Attraction of Transnational Sources

According to Faghihi, another step will be taken toward the formation of international projects and attraction of transnational sources in cooperation with the international center. Given the fact that support of innovation ecosystem in the country cannot be relied to by just private investment, we need to take measures to attract transnational resources and implement the formation of an innovative ecosystem in the country by cooperation of international affairs and technology exchange development headquarter.

Facilitation of Business Environment for Startups

According to Faghihi, the goal of the information and communication technology and cyberspace development headquarter is use of the capacity of the country in organization of management and planning and ministry of communications in the research section.

At the end, he affirmed: we expect that the current regulations in the industry of information and communication technology be modified based on changes in this industry and compared to the past. In addition, it is hoped that new businesses and formation of new occupations be supported in the country.