On Tonight’s Headline Show, the vice president for science and technology affairs regarded the development of knowledge-based economy based on the abilities of the young, educated and creative human resource as one of the most important priorities of the Vice-Presidency of the 12^th government, announcing the realization of knowledge-based economy based on the human abilities with a fast pace in the next four years.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Sorena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology affairs, introduced the creation of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem as one of the most important priorities of the 12^th government on the TV program of “Tonight’s Headline”, adding: creating and developing an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, as well as improvement of technology and innovation businesses and knowledge-based companies are on the agenda of the 12^th government.

Creation of a Support Environment for Innovative and Knowledge-based Companies

According to the vice president for science and technology affairs, one of the necessities for development of knowledge-based companies is improving their share in implementation of national and international projects. In this regard, he continued: improving the export of knowledge-based products and increasing the attraction of investors and foreign collaborations in technological projects is another part of economy, which must be followed up by the Vice-Presidency through creating support infrastructures.

Sattari pointed out various types of support in export, exemptions, product introduction, and patent registration, expressing: in a suitable foundation, the government supports these companies in a proper foundation, such as rules for support of knowledge-based companies, by providing tax exemptions. In addition, entrance of knowledge-based products into regional and global markets can be achieved through the corridor of export of knowledge-based products and services.

Pointing out the entrance of venture capitals in support area of technological businesses, Sattari continued: in terms of finance, venture capitals have entered the stock exchange for support of knowledge-based products, so that the foundation is laid for entrance of investors in the area of startups. The only way to make our economy knowledge-based is support of the new generation of businesses.

Pointing out that the basis of knowledge-based economy is presence of creative human resource, Sattari asserted: development of knowledge-based economy based on the ability of young, educated and creative human resource is one of the most important priorities of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, which will be seriously followed up in the next four years.

He expressed that not only does knowledge-based economy make scientific productions applicable, but also it makes science applicable. In this regard, he continued: the topic of knowledge-based will solve many challenges in occupation and daily issues, such as environmental problems. The majority of serious challenges in the country is due to lack of optimized energy use, drought and management of environment, which requires technological and innovative solutions.

Culture Building and Formation of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Necessary for Flourishing of New Businesses

The vice president for science and technology affairs emphasized the transformation of the fundamental cultural infrastructures and education structures, stating: serious, creative and innovative changes must be made in the area of education, facilitation of which requires the coordination with the ministry of education.

President of Iran national science foundation pointed out the damages caused by oil-based economy, adding: mere reliance of incomes obtained from selling of oil has made serious problems for the country. However, these problems can be solved by moving universities toward entrepreneurial universities in order to train innovative human resource. In other words, this structure can modify an inaccurate culture.

He continued: realization of knowledge-based concepts is not easy and oil-based budget has ruined the creativity of our children, making employment in government organizations their main goal.

Sattari emphasized that this valuating culture based on physical properties must be replaced by creativity, ideas and innovation of human resources. In this regard, he affirmed: people must be valuated based on their ideas, and those who realize their goals through high self-confidence, audacity and determination are the most important asset of a knowledge-based economy.

Sattari pointed out the long history of entrepreneurship and innovation of Iranians, stating: entrepreneurship is in the genes of Iranians. However, education culture has been destroyed in our system. According to their nature, new businesses must grow up to 10% every week. Otherwise, they will not be successful. In addition, our main problem is use of oil budget for these businesses.

The vice president for science and technology affairs regarded the graduated Iranian human resource as the most important advantage and valuable asset for realization of knowledge-based economy in the country, expressing: we are the second most powerful country in the world in terms of human resource indicators. In addition, we have ranked fourth in the world regarding the training of engineering graduates. However, application of this valuable capacity requires the creation of an appropriate ecosystem for their activities.

Emergence of New Businesses

The vice president for science and technology affairs expressed that emergence of new successful innovative businesses of Iranians is indicative of a significant capacity in the country. In addition, he marked that the number of innovative businesses, which have made us proud by their considerable growth, is not small, and they are competing with the prominent businesses of the world. Nevertheless, success and continuity of this path requires the support of the ecosystem, and distribution of government money will have no outcomes other than economic rent.

Sattari continued: there are about 600 principal knowledge-based companies, which are quickly growing and their managers of talented youth with ideas and creativity.

Sattari regarded financial resources as a low priority in creation of a startup and mentioned the audacity, determination and ideas to be the most important necessities of growth of a new business.

He added: the majority of successful startups have flourished with the least available equipment and only with their own innovation and determination. This shows that financial resources are regarded as low priorities for new businesses. However, realization of cultural modifications is more important than financial sources in order to provide a suitable environment for entrepreneurial businesses in the area of technological services and products.