March 2004 TAKFA National Iranian ICT Agenda

Five years ago: ICT important but not a priority No national ICT plan Some sector IT master plans but, old and out dated Rare specific budget allocation at national level Several authorities with different and sometimes overlapping responsibilities Not enough authority Iranian Government Plans & Actions The Past Iranian Government Plans & Actions 1

The first national IT plan is compiled Its execution started two year ago The Present Iranian Government Plans & Actions

Vision and Mission of ICT Development “Empowering Iran” through materializing “Knowledge Based Society” Employing ICT to transform national opportunities and resources into national wealth, power and pride towards sustainable national development so that Iranian citizens are empowered to achieve their full potential in life

Government Priorities Poverty Eradication ICT centric development of the country Creation of new jobs Privatization Encouraging foreign investment and involvement Promotion of non-oil exports Development of high-tech industries Iranian Government Plans & Actions

TAKFA History At the beginning of 1998, national ICT development study began by the formation of the Supreme Council of ICT (SCICT) under the president’s own leadership Allocating a national and centralized budget for the advancement of ICT in Iran by the parliament at the beginning of On May 2002 Iran’s National ICT Agenda (TAKFA) was completed. TAKFA has 40 major projects and 110 subprojects that covers all major aspects of the ICT applications in country

TAKFA History By end of June 2002, TAKFA was approved by the cabinet and additional budget from the current fiscal year was permitted to be used for achieving the objectives of TAKFA. The total ICT development budget for TAKFA was four-folded for year On June 2002, secretariat of SCICT was appointed as the president’s ICT special envoy and every national agency was asked to appoint an ICT special envoy.

TAKFA - National ICT Agenda (NICTA) Iranian government has decided to heavily invest on ICT applications in Iran. TAKFA is the approved framework. Iranian Government Plans & Actions

TAKFA’s main Points Allocating specific budget for ICT projects Easing regulations to reflect ICT needs, and ease awarding contracts. Assigning a top country level authority. Creating a hierarchy of ICT councils in all ministries. Iranian Government Plans & Actions

Key guidelines of NICTA Systematic approach towards a national sustainable development HRD development Improvement of national synergy Development of Infrastructure : Networks, Laws, Standards and Resources Private sector involvement

TAKFA Budget (2004) Fiscal year 1383 (ending March 2005) Direct Assignment of $340M for existing national ICT projects. Ministries are allowed to spend 1% of their budget in ICT projects. Iranian Government Plans & Actions

Iranian Government Plans & Actions New Laws & Regulations Foreign Investment Protection and Guarantee Law Approved. Copyright Law in place (not protecting foreign IP yet, but is changing soon). eCommerce Law Approved. ISP and Internet Law in Place. PTT ministry changed to ICT Ministry.

Iranian Government Plans & Actions TAKFA’s Main Areas Development of ICT in commerce (eCommerce, eBanking, etc.) Move toward eGovernment (work automation, eServices, eDemocracy, etc.) Application of ICT in schools and workforce development (at primary & secondary schools, and vocational training institute)

Iranian Government Plans & Actions TAKFA’s Main Areas Application of ICT in Higher Education (Medical, Engineering, Social Sciences, Arts, etc.) ICT Development in Social services (Social security, health, etc.) ICT Development in Cultural issues (Farsi writing and usage, Art, Culture, etc.) ICT SME development (Tech Parks, Incubators, etc.)

SCICT Private sectors Public Sector Experts Private Companies & SMEs Universities & Research Centers SCICT Support Groups Public Sector coordinatio n Steering Committee Private Sector cooperatio n Steering Committee Research Projects Projects Consulting Services Technical Steering Committee Legislative Economical Security -Infrastructure -Farsi & DN R&D/HRD Social/cultural E-Economy E-Commerce E-Government E-Learning

Iranian Government Plans & Actions TAKFA’s Framework NICTA Infra structure Employment & Industry HRD, culture and social Gov. services Commerce & economical services HRD and E-education Culture In digital environment Electronic government Electronic Services Economy in Digital environment Electronic commerce Information Infrastructure SME Industrial Development Security, Regulation and Law

ICT HRD Re structuring Connectivity Financial Resources E Gov E ID Digital Library Data Bases Tele shopping Public information services Increased social welfare Tele medicine Enhanced social right E-Health Intl. Competitiveness Productive natl. jobs Skilled and innovative HR (knowledge-based economy) Suitable Intl. market share Enhanced National Decision Making Internet police Digital Signature E Customs E Stock market Gov. VPN Farsi OCR Advanced Industries Borderless Manufacturing & Marketing E service supports E voting Gov. E portal E Law Framework of Islamic Republic of Iran’s National ICT Agenda Smart Schools, Universities ICT, Multimedia, IT E Tax E banking CA & PKI E-Commerce E money

Results? So far…

Iranian Government Plans & Actions The Consensus Consensus on ICT based development of the country. All Government and System sectors have priority for ICT Foreign Investment and involvement is encouraged.

Iranian Government Plans & Actions Projects defined A total of 1650 projects are officially submitted to the SCICT Total value: over $2.7B Most for: –Consultancy –Concept development and feasibility study –Creating organizations’ Infrastructure –Completion of projects defined in the past –Human resource development

Iranian Government Plans & Actions Market Expansion Spill over effect in different market sectors Market Growth of up to 60% 2003 market value of $2.5B

In closing Iran is a rapidly growing ICT market Iranian companies are looking for capable foreign partners The national information infrastructure is rapidly growing There is a well defined national agenda and dedicated budget The president himself is leading the leap into the information society

Thank you!