Iran Opens Doors for Afghan Knowledge-Based Companies: New Registration Opportunities!
In a significant development for the Afghan business community, Afghan knowledge-based firms can now register in Iran under the same conditions as Iranian companies. This announcement comes from Hossein Roozbeh, the head of the Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, emphasizing the potential for collaboration and innovation between Afghan and Iranian elites.
During the inaugural conference for Afghan elites held on Saturday, Roozbeh stated that specific criteria and standards must be met for registration, including the acquisition of requisite scientific grades. This initiative aims to harness the talents of immigrants and Afghan students, who possess considerable research and scientific capabilities.
Roozbeh highlighted, “The Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology aims to benefit from these capacities and export Iran’s ecosystem of innovation and technology. So, we welcome cooperation with non-Iranian elites.”
Notable Growth in Knowledge-Based Companies
The landscape of knowledge-based companies in Iran has witnessed remarkable growth, with over a 200 percent increase in their numbers within just one year (March 2023 – March 2024). This surge reflects a robust foundation and dynamic growth in innovation and technology, fostering a productive atmosphere aimed at boosting domestic production through public participation.
Key statistics include:
- The number of knowledge-based companies has doubled from approximately 5,000 to 10,000 since the current administration took office in August 2021.
- The total value of these companies has reached an impressive $2 billion.
Science Diplomacy
In July 2022, Deputy Science Minister Peyman Salehi reported an increase in the international activities of Iranian scientists, despite ongoing U.S. sanctions. Notably, over 35 percent of Iranian articles published in Scopus are part of multinational projects.
Science diplomacy is a crucial aspect of international relations, involving scientific collaborations among nations to tackle shared challenges and foster constructive partnerships. It encompasses various formal and informal exchanges in technical, research-based, academic, or engineering fields.
The national budget bill for the previous Iranian calendar year (1402, covering March 2023 to March 2024) allocated approximately 37 trillion rials ($60 million) for science and technology, marking a 35 percent increase compared to the previous year, as reported by ISNA.
Support for Knowledge-Based Industries
Established in 2006, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology aims to create a conducive environment for supporting knowledge-based companies and advancing technological industries. To date, more than 8,000 knowledge-based companies have been established across Iran.
In recent years, the narrative around knowledge-based enterprises has evolved from focusing solely on companies to fostering a knowledge-based society. This shift indicates that supporting these companies can yield extensive social and economic benefits for the broader community.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has underscored the necessity of enhancing domestic production, stating, “because it boosts economic growth, it creates employment, it reduces inflation, it increases per capita income and it improves public welfare.”
In line with this vision, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology has implemented several projects aimed at enhancing knowledge-based production, aligning with national goals for economic development and innovation.
The collaborations between Iranian and Afghan knowledge-based firms hold the potential for significant advancements in both countries, paving the way for a future where innovation thrives and mutual benefits are realized.
