According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Karami, secretary of knowledge-based science, culture and economy development headquarter, presented a background of the law to support knowledge-based companies, stating: in 2010, our parliament approved a regulation to support knowledge-based companies, which was delayed until 2013. He continued: a workgroup was formed to revive this law by evaluating the eligibility of knowledge-based companies. This workgroup was created from ministries of mine, health, science, defense and welfare, and national science foundation, which is one of the bases of knowledge-based companies. In addition, secretariat of this workgroup is located at the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs.

He added: we had 10 knowledge-based companies in 2013, whereas today, there are 3119 knowledge-based organizations. Our Supreme Leader has greatly emphasized this notion as the first man of our government. Moreover, our president, the public, academics and all those who play a major role in creation of knowledge-based companies are aware of the fact that the only way to save the economy of the country is attention to creative and efficient human resource in the country, which is realized only through knowledge-based companies.

He also asserted: 300 thousand billion IRR have been reported to be the property value created in the country by these companies, leading to the development of occupation for 15 thousand individuals. We witness an acceptable growth and good future in this regard since our young and creative society members are entering the market. A task performed by the vice president for science and technology affairs, along with his own responsibilities, is guiding, supporting and organizing these companies.

Secretary of knowledge-based science, culture and economy development headquarter explained about three new, industrial and production areas, expressing: any company with any idea or ability can benefit from the supporting facilities provided for knowledge-based companies. However, it should be noted that such companies must not be affiliated to the government and have to be managed by the private sector.  

He continued: in the current economy of resistance of the country, knowledge-based companies are the beating heart of the economy. Therefore, students cannot be sent abroad as technicians, but rather their ability and creativity must be used in the form of knowledge-based companies.

According to Karami, all companies that are eager to obtain facilities must be turned into knowledge-based enterprises.

Secretary of knowledge-based science, culture and economy development headquarter affirmed: universities, growth centers, venture capitals, accelerators and technology parks form the basis of knowledge-based companies.

He continued: owners of knowledge-based companies are producers at first, and turn into accelerators after the growth stage, which makes them able to support other new companies.

Karami mentioned that in contrast to traditional investments, that have been mainly on mines or oil and gas, the new investments are made on modern technology and science. In this regard, he stated: the government has submitted a bill to parliament in order to support intellectual property, according to which the credibility of knowledge-based companies is supported in a way that those who obtain the supports would be supported the same in foreign companies.

According to Karami, there are about 50 million active cellphones in the country, for virtual networks of which thousands of companies can produce contents. This can lead to the creation of a million and forty-five thousand billion IRR, resulting in attracting economy in the country. Using this sum of money, we can improve our culture and create occupations.

Secretary of knowledge-based science, culture and economy development headquarter continued: the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs has aimed to identify the barriers to the flourishing of knowledge-based companies. It is important to know that creativity and change have been initiated in the country and will soon quickly grow.

Sahebkar, head of the affairs knowledge-based companies, stated in a telephone contact with the program: there are various subjects of knowledge-based economy covered in academic gatherings. Simply put, our economy has passed many difficulties over thousands of years ago. At a time, our economy depended on agriculture, which was followed by a feudal and land management economy. After that, we entered the era of industrial revolution, where many changes occurred in industrial economy. Currently, it is important to know that we are faced with processes of wealth creation, basis for which is neither human resource nor previous wealth, but is knowledge. In emerging and developed companies, a part of the economy that is based on knowledge and technology is growing. In this regard, we have to perform related activities to improve our economy.   

He added: the concept of knowledge-based economy is a wide notion in the volume of corporates’ incomes. However, the level of income of these companies is not in proportion to the total number of knowledge-based companies in the country. Nevertheless, the important point is the growth of these companies, which can be observed in Iran with a 10% growth in a week. In addition, growing activities of these companies are indicative of a bright future for the country.

Sahebkar also asserted: special support packages have been provided for knowledge-based companies according to their problems and barriers. Some of these packages include low-cost financing, use of tax breaks for 15 years, which has been operational for four years, use of custom clearance, and use of facilities for being located near large cities, all of which have been designed with the help of different organizations.

He continued: for instance, cooperation has been made with national elites foundation of general staff of the armed forces, so that key active individuals in knowledge-based companies can focus on defense projects during their military service, and be able to have further roles in counseling, and financial and insurance issues. Sahebkar also stated: in the package provided by the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, which is being followed up with the cooperation of other organizations, 110 different support plans are presented that can be applied by knowledge-based companies.

Sahebkar continued: what has happened in the country has been carried out with the help of all organizations. The ministry of industry, science and health of agricultural jihad defense carries out various evaluations in the knowledge-based economy. Technology parks of growth centers have been formed with the support of health and science ministry, which is an important infrastructure in this regard.

He also conveyed: in terms of financial issues, it was previously assumed that companies must take loans, whereas the major part of the financial support is provided based on investment and cooperation in stock exchange and investment market due to high risk and benefits of this area. Therefore, the mechanism of other countries is not based on loans. Securities and exchange organization has approved a regulation for venture capitals, according to which financial supports are provided from investment market. In total, these investments can be beneficial at the end.

Activities performed in organizations near Sharif University of Technology and University of Tehran have led to the development of this simple process. The Iran national science foundation has many plans, including providing low-cost loans. In order to develop a knowledge-based ecosystem, it is important to complete the chains and commercialize products to buy low-cost products as leasing.

We have aimed to provide financial exclusion for companies that have research projects to be turned into knowledge-based companies. If they can provide the technologies needs for this change, the financial supports will be provided as financial exclusion. However, this task is evaluated and it is decided to be assessed by the parliament as a bill. Our main goal is to encourage the development of innovators.

Mahboudi, CEO of a knowledge-based company, stated in an interview with “Titre Emshab (title of tonight)” TV program: in a space dimension, physicians can use the customs, which increases their value.

Titre Emshab/knowledge-based companies are the beating heart of economy of resistance

Mahboudi continued: one raised question has been that what happens to medical theses? A professor would say: if there is the necessary potentials, a startup might present proper products but has inadequate marketing strategies. The problem is there is no place to help these companies introducing their products before being entered in the market.

We have transferred the technical knowledge used in biotechnology to Turkey and Russia. From 160 medications, we produced 13 medications before. Now, we are manufacturing more than 20 drugs and our goal is to enter the European market, results of which will be observed in the next 10 years.

Taiwan is a country that fail to obtain biotechnology but signed a two billion contract in this regard.

He added: after Japan, Iran is the only country that has access to biotechnology medications, and we can be the ambassador of health. Unfortunately, our view is not a national perspective. The ministry of health was able to facilitate the production of seven medications. Our view is an island-based perspective not country-based. We need to have a broader perspective in order to provide health for society members.