The 21^st international advanced technologies exhibition of China was held in Shenzhen November 13^th-16^th, 2019. In total, 10 knowledge-based companies showcased their products in the exhibition.

The high-ranking scientific and knowledge-based delegation of Iran traveled to China with the presidency of Sorena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology affairs. In addition, the delegation visited the international advanced technologies exhibition of China and learned about the latest achievements and advancements in various fields.

As companies from 30 different countries are present at the event, so is the opportunity to interact and exchange information. In addition, the vice president for science and technology affairs presented a lecture on the opening ceremony of the event.

During the event, Sattari talked about the release from oil dependency in Iran, asserting: since the mid-90s, innovation has become one of the most important policy-making keywords in Iran. Since then, changes were made at the highest levels of the country"s policy to synchronize capacities to develop scientific and technological innovations.

Sattari continued: the comprehensive scientific plan of the country and the special law to support knowledge-based companies are the most important issues that have led to a large innovation revolution in universities and domestic industries.

Along with the mentioned improvements, formation of infrastructures such as growth centers, accelerators, science and technology parks, especial science and technology areas, research and technology funds, and venture capitals has filled the unit gap in the national innovation system of Iran to a great extent.

Emphasizing that the transition to knowledge-based economy from an innovation output viewpoint has had considerable results, Sattari expressed: since approving the law to support knowledge-based companies in 2010, about 4700 companies have received the term “knowledge-based” based on their technological capabilities. In a short period, these companies have produced an annual total value of $11 billion and have created jobs for more than 300,000 people.

After that, Sattari showed a complete image of two decades of efforts to transition from resource-based to knowledge-based economy, adding: this is Iran"s dramatic breakthrough in the Global Innovation Index over five years. According to the latest Global Innovation Index report, Iran"s ranking of innovation performance in 2019 among the countries of the world has improved by 60 steps. The Islamic Republic of Iran has reflected the innovation performance at the national level with a successful drive to create a dynamic innovation ecosystem in almost all respects.

Attending this event is a suitable opportunity for companies to showcase their abilities to the global market. Therefore, the foundation is laid for commercialization of ideas and attracting investment and export opportunities. On the other hand, the presence of pavilion of Iran in the event has led to attracting powerful companies and defining international cooperation and introducing the scientific and technological capacity of Iran to Chinese audience, which ultimately improves the cooperation between the two countries.