TEHRAN – Russia’s Astrakhan has expressed interest in utilizing the valuable knowledge and experiences of Iranian knowledge-based companies in the production and commercialization of science in industries.

The head of the Iranian Research Organization for Scientific and Technology, Hassan Zamanian, paid a visit to Astrakhan on May 29.

He met Denis Afanasyev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Astrakhan region.  

During the meeting, the officials discussed a wide range of topics and underscored strengthening scientific and technical collaborations, as well as boosting collaboration among technology parks of the two countries.

Tehran, Moscow to boost tech ties

In October 2023, Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-based Economy, Rouhollah Dehqani-Firouzabadi, and Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Andrei Fursenko, discussed ways to expand scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

The officials emphasized developing capacities to implement joint projects by high-tech companies of the two countries, ISNA reported.

Firouzabadi and his accompanying delegation went on a two-day trip to Moscow at the invitation of Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister, Denis Manturov.

Upon his arrival in Moscow, Dehqani-Firouzabadi said, “A number of scientists from both countries will be used in research programs under a collaboration plan between Iranian and Russian science foundations,” Center of International Science and Technology Center (CISTC) website announced in a press release on October 26. 

The meeting was scheduled following the negotiations that took place in May 2023 during Fursenko's visit to Tehran’s INOTEX exhibition. It was agreed then to revive the Iran-Russia high-tech committee and set new agendas for the committee.

Enhancing cooperation in the fields of medicine and medical equipment, energy, transportation, particularly civil aviation transportation, and microelectronics were among other agreements reached during that trip.

Also, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Science Foundations of Iran and Russia.

A total of 100 proposals were received for the implementation of joint scientific and technological projects. Only 20 projects were supposed to be implemented with the joint support of the national science foundations of the two countries.

Firouzabadi and his delegation also elaborated on Iran's achievements in the field of prosthetics and artificial limbs, which drew the attention of the Russian side.

A specialized team was appointed to visit Iran and investigate joint cooperation in this field.

Expanding communication and joint cooperation between top universities and science and technology parks of Iran and Russia were agreed on as well.

Firouzabadi was scheduled to meet with the Russian deputy prime minister and visit some industrial, scientific, and technological centers to discuss and exchange views on the details of their cooperation.

MT/MG