The vice president for science and technology affairs emphasized that the only way to pass the oil-based economy is interactions between the private sector and knowledge-based companies. In this regard, Sattari stated: bringing currency into the country will be possible with the investment of the private sector in knowledge-based companies and increase of export.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, the meeting of members of the chamber of commerce, industries, mining and agriculture of Tehran was held on July 16^th, 2019, and the special guest of the meeting was Sorena Sattari.

In this meeting, the vice president for science and technology affairs explained the changes made in the formation of science and technology ecosystem in the country, stating: forming different views such as implementing the law to support knowledge-based companies in the past six years has led to the creation of the ecosystem for knowledge-based economy in the country.

In terms of wrong paths in the past, Sattari affirmed: we passed the wrong path 100 years ago by relying on oil-based revenues. This path has distanced us from reliance on our belongings, which is the creative youth. Today, Iran has an oil-based economy.

Formation of Technology Ecosystem Guarantees the Path to Success

The president of the national elites foundation continued: my main question is that why despite the ancient history of Iran in the field of science and knowledge and presence of great scientists such as Ibn Sina and Kharazmi, we cannot train such great individuals regardless of huge costs. The highest amount of money has been dedicated to this area and there has been no output. To understand the cause of the success of advanced countries, a research was made on the formation of “Silicon Valley” in California during the first days of activity in the Vice-Presidency, and the answer was one word: “ecosystem”.

Sattari also mentioned: therefore, oil money causes no problems and scientific centers to get nowhere by government cost. It is true that financing is a part of the formation of this ecosystem, but it is the third or fourth requirement in this regard.

Investment of the Private Sector Is the Necessity of Research Development

The vice president for science and technology affairs regarded investment by the private sector a necessity for research development, affirming: we cannot produce products with the government investment and there is a need for the presence of the private sector. Producing technological products occurs at this time since the base of the economy is the creative and innovative human resources, that must be invested by the private sector.

Value Added Is in Knowledge Production

In the next part, he pointed out the release from the raw-selling economy, claiming: selling oil, saffron or primary mine substances is not an honor. In fact, it is the value added in the knowledge that is important. If technology incorporates raw material, it will be profitable for the country.

In another part of his speech, Sattari talked about the proper cooperation with other ministries of the government in the knowledge-based field, stating: change of attitude has been detected in ministers as well. The minister of agriculture has greatly welcomed ideas in this field, and the minister of oil has currently announced the establishment of a special park in the oil field for the activity of knowledge-based companies and their accumulation in one place. All of these are indicative of sympathy to boost the knowledge-based economy in the country.

He also regarded investment on startups in the field of technology a priority of the Vice-Presidency, claiming: startups of the service fields have found their way and now is the time for the growth and development technology startups.

This meeting was held in the presence of the board of directors and members of the chamber of commerce, industries, mining and agriculture of Tehran.