Digital economy share of 10% of GDP ‘logical and attainable,’ Veep says
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said achieving the target of generating 10% of gross domestic product from the digital economy mandated under Iran’s Seventh Development Plan is “logical and attainable, not a slogan.”
Aref made the remarks during a meeting of the Digital Economy Development Headquarters in Tehran, attended by stakeholders from Iran’s digital economy ecosystem, IRNA reported.
He stressed the necessity of embracing digital economy, warning that managing the economy through traditional methods would impose “heavy costs” on the country.
“We cannot set aside the digital component and manage the economy through traditional methods,” Aref said. “If we want scientific, economic, and commercial relations with the world, we have no choice but to tap into digital economy, though it has its own conditions and regulations.”
Taking a lead in the digital economy, he said, would enable Iran to export its knowledge and experience to the region.
Aref noted that the country’s development plans are based on the governance of emerging technologies as a national priority, as explicitly stated in Iran’s 20-Year Vision Document, which calls for securing “the top regional position in science and technology.”
“The benefits and risks of technology must be considered together,” he said. “We should strengthen the positive uses through a range of tools, including domestic ones, and address the negative impacts with clear and effective mechanisms.”
Criticizing Iran’s current performance in global tech indicators, Aref said, “Our current rankings are not worthy of our youth. Our best position is 37th, while our national and youth potential is far greater, and we must achieve the top regional position in science and technology.”
During the session, digital economy ecosystem stakeholders presented their activities and raised their views, proposals, concerns, and challenges related to the sector.