During a joint session attended by the scientific deputy of the president and the minister of labor, the groundwork and prerequisites for broader collaborations to expedite and facilitate the insurance process for knowledge-based companies were established.
As reported by IDEA, Rouhollah Dehghani, the scientific, technological, and economic deputy of the president, highlighted the entrepreneurial role of knowledge-based companies in addressing the country’s strategic issues. He stated, “Currently, there is no problem in the country for which scientists and experts cannot find a solution. Knowledge-based companies have succeeded in playing a significant role in solving the country’s most strategic problems and needs.”
Dehghani continued by emphasizing that promoting, strengthening, and expanding the ecosystem of knowledge-based companies is a top priority and strategic concern for the country. He credited the strong support from the esteemed leadership of the country as a significant driver of the growth and prosperity of these companies. He noted that their support has consistently focused on knowledge-based companies, and through their serious support, the development of the culture of knowledge-based enterprises and the Law on the Development of Knowledge-Based Production have helped these companies gain a substantial share and position in the country’s economy.
He further mentioned that while knowledge-based companies are often perceived as serving the information technology, communications, and platform sectors, they primarily provide services to larger and more advanced businesses. He stated, “The services these companies offer are mainly directed towards larger and more advanced industries, including defense and heavy industries, and knowledge-based companies primarily provide their services to larger businesses and engage in B2B activities.”
For instance, in sectors such as oil, gas, and petrochemicals, there were significant challenges in sourcing the required catalysts. However, currently, over 98% of the country’s catalyst needs are met by knowledge-based companies in Iran. The remaining two percent is due to economic factors that discourage production, but the technological capability for producing them domestically exists in the country.
The President of the National Elites Foundation highlighted the creation of employment opportunities for educated segments of the country as one of the prominent roles of knowledge-based companies. He added, “Knowledge-based companies primarily create employment opportunities for educated individuals, and the hidden capacity in universities for entrepreneurship and value creation is blossoming through the establishment of knowledge-based companies.”
Knowledge-based companies provide the necessary motivation for entrepreneurship, the transformation of knowledge into business, and the solution of the country’s problems to the educated workforce. They create a family-like environment for students and experts, a family with a high degree of permanence.
Dehghani also highlighted the significant role of knowledge-based companies in the diplomacy of the government. He stated, “The honorable President utilizes the capacity of knowledge-based companies as a powerful tool in international discourse and diplomacy.”
Scientific, Technological, and Economic Cooperation: Supporting Knowledge-Based Companies
The scientific, technological, and economic deputy of the president stated that in the new system for evaluating knowledge-based companies, in addition to the level of technology, the level of employment and the company’s impact on the economy is also assessed. He continued, “In the new evaluation system for knowledge-based companies, besides having a higher level of technology compared to the national average, the level of specialized employment and the value created are also rigorously considered, albeit with a realistic approach.”
The scientific, technological, and economic deputy of the president continued, “Our approach in the thirteenth government is to create an ecosystem and space that encourages the capacity of universities and professor-centered cores to establish new companies.”
He added, “Unconditional and research-based assistance has been considered for research, which is provided proportionally to the needs, nature, and size of each category of companies.”
Dehghani stated, “Out of approximately 9,000 knowledge-based companies, around 6,000 companies ultimately have up to 100 billion Tomans in taxes. Tax exemptions and support can significantly help many companies. In this regard, we provide support proportionate to each company and its needs. We aim to assist a new knowledge-based company for a period of 4 to 5 years as part of greenhouse support.”
He further said, “The Ministry of Labor can provide significant help in these supports. Insurance support for these fledgling knowledge-based companies will be a special help.”
Reza Asadifar, the deputy for the development of knowledge-based companies, emphasized the influential role of initial support for new knowledge-based companies. He stated, “When companies reach the age of 5, they have a guaranteed longevity, and these first 5 years and the support they receive will play a crucial role in their sustainability and growth.”
He added, “In today’s highly competitive environment, human resources have gained immeasurable importance, and countries are seriously striving to attract and support human resources.”
Proposals for Addressing the Challenges of Knowledge-Based Companies
Asadifar went on to propose solutions for addressing the challenges faced by knowledge-based companies in the Ministry of Labor’s domain. He stated, “Launching a virtual insurance branch for knowledge-based companies, removing inspections for office-based knowledge-based companies, expediting the assessment of violations, reducing penalties for knowledge-based companies, and extending the deadline for debt payment and appeals are actions that can accelerate the development and growth of knowledge-based companies.”
In this meeting, while discussing the challenges and obstacles, the groundwork and prerequisites for broader cooperation between the scientific deputy and the Ministry of Labor to expedite and facilitate the operations of knowledge-based companies were provided.
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