Ministers back digital push to boost tourism, rural prosperity
Iran's telecommunications and cultural heritage ministers agreed to expand joint cooperation to develop communication infrastructure and digital services, aiming to boost tourism, strengthen local economies and create new employment opportunities in rural areas.
The agreement came during a joint meeting between Communications and Information Technology (ICT) Minister Sattar Hashemi and Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri, along with their deputies, IRNA reported.
"A unified and centralized design is needed for the development of data-driven governance," Hashemi said, stressing the need to avoid fragmented, "isolated" actions in the technology sector.
The ICT minister also announced that the number of the country's Internet exchange centers would increase from one to three, located in different parts of the country, "so that services to the people can continue without interruption even in critical situations."
During the meeting, deputies from the telecommunications ministry presented a report on measures taken in areas related to cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, as well as the development of rural communications. These measures include establishing stable connectivity at 50 tourist sites, providing communications for tourism-targeted villages, digitalizing cultural heritage processes, and readiness to create a national dashboard.
The deputies also put forward proposals for expanding joint cooperation and resolving issues related to communication development in tourist areas.