TEHRAN –Mohammad-Sadeq Khayatian, the head of Iran National Innovation Fund, and Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Hinai, the deputy chairman at the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones of Oman, in a meeting in Tehran on Wednesday stressed the need for the development of scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

“In several visits to Iran, I have become familiar with Iranian products, companies, and industries closely,” Al Hinai said, highlighting the significance of research and development.

“Oman can be a gateway for Iranian companies to access the international market,” he added, Mehr news agency reported.

He also suggested creating a network of universities in the Islamic world to lead joint technological working groups.

Khayatian, for his part, said that about 9,300 knowledge-based companies and almost the same number of start-ups are operating in 45 science and technology parks in the country which shows Iran's high capacity in the field of science and technology.

“Despite the cruel sanctions over the past few decades, the export of knowledge-based products has roughly reached one billion dollars per year,” he added.

Iran, Oman share experience in ICT

On October 28, a discussion session was held between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of information and communication technology.

The Omani side was headed by Saeed bin Hamoud al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, while the Iranian side was represented by Issa Zarepour, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Times of Oman reported.

During the session, bilateral relations were reviewed, and discussions were held on strengthening the existing cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the fields of information and communication technology, in a way that serves their common interests and brings more benefits to the two friendly peoples.

The Iranian official also met with the Omani Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi and the head of the country’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed joint academic and research collaborations and made suggestions about the axes of these collaborations.

Referring to the activities of Iran’s Communications and Information Technology Research Institute, Zarepour introduced the capacities of this institute and other Iranian technology parks and called for joint cooperation of Oman’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation with Iranian institutions.

The Omani minister welcomed this proposal and it was agreed that by forming a working group, the existing axes for cooperation would be examined and explored in expert meetings.

Iran ready to share technological expertise

In May, the deputy science minister said Iran is ready to share its technological expertise with other Islamic countries.

Science and technology should be applied in order to create world peace and human justice, and Muslim countries can bring peace and progress not only to the Muslim nations but also to human beings with unity and empathy, Vahid Haddadi-Asl said, IRNA reported.

He made the remarks at the 1st Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dialogue Platform (OIC-15) which was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on May 25-26.

The Islamic Republic of Iran considers it its duty to support science and technology diplomacy between Islamic countries, through conducting joint scientific projects in areas needed by Islamic countries, he highlighted.

MT/MG