Sattari: Technological cooperation between Iranian and Kenyan companies will be formed. Surena Sattari, Vice President for Science and Technology, met with Betty Mania, Minister of Industry and Technology of Kenya, during her 3-day visit to Kenya. The meeting emphasized the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Vice President for Science and Technology said in the meeting: Iran’s technological initiatives have accelerated since the beginning of the 12th administration, so that with the help of these initiatives we can achieve the scientific development of the country. This was implemented using the indigenous knowledge power and the expertise of our youth.
Sattari continued: Over the past few years, and in the heart of the technology and innovation ecosystem, more than 6,000 knowledge-based and creative companies have been formed, with their sales last year amounting to about $12 billion.
The Vice President for Science and Technology continued: Large startups have been formed in our country that export their products to other countries.
Sattari also emphasized: 40 knowledge-based companies are accompanying the Iranian delegation on this trip. These companies can be a good bridge for transferring technology from Iran to Kenya.
Formation of bilateral cooperation between Iranian and Kenyan companies
The head of the National Elite Foundation, referring to the meeting between Iranian and Kenyan companies, said: Representatives of Iranian companies had negotiations with 130 Kenyan companies and participated in face-to-face meetings. These meetings will lead to bilateral cooperation.
Stating that Iran’s investment in the field of technology and parks is very good, the Vice President for Science and Technology emphasized: Currently, 50 technology parks have been established in Iran. We can provide Kenya with the experience of this work.
Referring to Iran’s progress in the field of technology, he said: Iran has a special place in the field of emerging technologies, for example, Iran ranks fourth in the world in nanoscience. Iran has good investments in the field of producing various software. We are ready to provide Kenya with our experiences.
Iran’s Special Position in the Region
Inviting Kenyan officials and technologists to visit Iran’s achievements and technological infrastructure, Sattari said: We should try to have Iran and Kenya have joint projects and cooperation in the field of technology and knowledge transfer with each other.
Referring to the cruel sanctions imposed by countries on Iran, the Vice President for Science and Technology stated: Despite all these sanctions, we continued our scientific growth, and with the help of the technological ecosystem and relying on the power of our scientists, we were able to become one of the leading countries in the field of technology in the region.
The head of the National Elite Foundation considered student exchange between the two countries essential and said: This has nothing to do with the political relations of the countries. A clear example of this is that despite our long-standing enmity with the United States, we have 12,000 students in this country.
Sattari continued: Iran and Kenya can cooperate in the field of establishing a technology-based industry. There is a high level of knowledge in our country in the field of producing high-tech products. We are ready to share this capability with Kenya.
Production of high value-added products
The Vice President for Science and Technology considered Iran’s experience in implementing a knowledge-based economy a successful example and said: With the help of this economy, we were able to solve problems and respond to the needs of society.
Sattari also stated: We are trying to increase high value-added products in our industries. Products in the fields of ASC, medicine, health and treatment are our priorities.
Developing cooperation between Iran and Kenya in the field of agriculture
Also, Ms. Betty Manya, Minister of Industry and Technology of Kenya, pointed out that many years have passed since the last joint economic commission of the two countries was held, and said: This commission was last held in 2012 and there is a readiness to hold the seventh joint economic commission between the two countries as soon as possible.
She added: Holding this commission can pave the way for numerous measures between the two countries and accelerate business relations between commercial and technological companies.
He also stated: Kenya has good conditions in the field of tea production and we are ready to provide all necessary arrangements for exporting our tea to Iran in this regard. Kenya has a diverse basket of fruits, which can also be one of the areas of bilateral cooperation.
Using alternative currencies in bilateral interactions
Following the meeting, Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Jafar Barmaki also pointed out that Iran is a corridor in the region and said: Iran and Kenya can cooperate in the field of tea and other fruits, meaning Kenya can benefit from Iranian value-added technologies in this field.
Barmaki added: The two countries can use another currency instead of dollars and euros in bilateral cooperation and protect their banking relations from possible harm. If this happens, I promise that trade between the two countries will double within a year.
According to the Iranian Ambassador to Kenya, our country’s free zones are one of the best spaces for developing trade relations between the two countries.
Promoting cooperation between Iranian and Kenyan technology companies
The Vice President for Science and Technology has traveled to Kenya for the second time, leading a 40-member delegation of knowledge-based and creative companies, to pave the way for the development of exports of these companies’ technological products. During this 3-day trip, the Iranian Innovation Center was launched in Kenya, and Iranian and Kenyan companies held bilateral meetings to develop their business relations.