Mazandaran’s ICTP opens as national push for AI ranking gains traction
A new Information and Communications Technology Park (ICTP) was inaugurated in the northern province of Mazandaran on Monday, as part of a national initiative aimed at positioning the country among the world's top 10 in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The latest ICTP, under the name of Digital Economy Growth and Development Center, was launched in the city of Sari, state news agency IRNA reported.
Mostafa Mafi, head of Iran's ICTP organization, said the establishment of provincial technology parks aligns with the country's Seventh Development Plan as eight ICTPs have been established to date.
"Provincial parks operate independently, and technology companies and digital firms based in these centers will benefit from various exemptions," Mafi said during a meeting with technology firm managers and startup representatives following the inauguration.
Mafi noted that government support for the digital economy is prioritized for less-developed provinces. He emphasized the strategic importance of digital technology development in Mazandaran, given the millions of tourists visiting the northern region annually.
"With the presence of millions of tourists and travelers in the northern region, especially Mazandaran, the development of digital technology in this area is very important and necessary," he said.
He added that technology companies could now present smartification projects across various provincial development sectors.
"With the creation of this center, technology companies can present smartification projects in various development sectors of the province, which will definitely receive serious financial support from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology," Mafi said.
Esmaeil Aezi, Mazandaran's director-general of communications and information technology, said at the inauguration ceremony that ICTPs would provide comprehensive support to knowledge-based companies, startups, accelerators and technology incubators.
"ICTPs, as one of the special technology branches of the Ministry of Communications, will provide full-scale support to knowledge-based companies, startups, accelerators and technology cores," Aezi said.