TEHRAN – Private sector has a great role in development of space-based technology in Iran, the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) director has announced, ILNA reported on Monday.

Morteza Barari made the remarks during a meeting with managers from the private sector active in space industry.

ISA and National Center for Space plans to attract investors and private sector to enhance space industry.

“Today, the emerging commercial space industry is prevailing in all parts of world. We aim to increase business security in space industry in order to develop its efficiency,” Barari stated.

According to statistics, the commercial space sector accounts for an estimated $262 billion of the annual global space economy and the private sector share is about 345 billion dollars, he added.

ISA has taken steps to end the monopoly of the government in space technology and the permission for communication satellite operating by the private sector companies is one of the plans.

ISA also supports startups active in this field in order to promote job creation and address challenges, he said.

The agency is a government organization. Iran became an orbital-launch-capable nation in 2009. The country is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was set up in 1958.

SB/PA
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