1. Islamic Republic of Iran’s investment climate in high technologies FORUM NEW TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA - IRAN Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Thursday, 31.03.2016 S. A. Alaei Acting Deputy of International Affairs I. R. Iran Vice Presidency for Science and Technology

2. Speech outline The increasing importance of FDI in hi-tech and R&D Drivers of investment in Iran Iran’s recent remarkable achievements in S&T Transformations in Iran’s NIS considerable capacities for collaboration with key players Government's decision for boosting international collaborations in S&T based on established infrastructures

3. The increasing importance of FDI in hi- tech and R&D FDI in hi-tech as an important source of technology acquisition Internationalization of R&D as a global trend for multinational corporations to – reduce their costs, – serve new markets, and – find new ideas

4. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 18 th In terms of GDP on purchasing power parity basis

5. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 32 million between 20-40 years old over 70% urbanized (higher than Germany)

6. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir

7. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security

8. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market

9. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills among top 5 countries almost level with the United States, ahead of Japan and South Korea

10. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills 7.A strong education system 5million students, 50% of which are women Higher tertiary education than United Kingdom and France

11. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills 7.A strong education system 8.R&D performing institutions with high quality

12. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills 7.A strong education system 8.R&D performing institutions with high quality 9.An IPR law at global standards level

13. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills 7.A strong education system 8.R&D performing institutions with high quality 9.An IPR law at global standards level 10.A historic culture of business and entrepreneurship Good image of entrepreneurs, higher status than in France

14. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills 7.A strong education system 8.R&D performing institutions with high quality 9.An IPR law at global standards level 10.A historic culture of business and entrepreneurship 11.Science and technology parks allover the country 38 science and technology parks Pardis, the biggest has $1.5 Billion turnover

15. Drivers of investment in Iran 1.A rich country (in terms of GDP) 2.Population of eighty million is mostly young and urbanized 3.The first largest oil and gas reservoir 4.Social stability, as well as security 5.A mature stock market 6.Availability of scientific and engineering skills 7.A strong education system 8.R&D performing institutions with high quality 9.An IPR law at global standards level 10.A historic culture of business and entrepreneurship 11.Science and technology parks allover the country 12.ICT sector, one of the biggest opportunities for investment 42% of internet users in Middle East Internet penetration doubled from 2011 to 2014

16. Iran’s recent remarkable achievements The fastest scientific growth rate in the world Considerable achievements in terms of the number of scientific outputs rankings – 7 th in the world in nanotechnology – 17 th in the world in biotechnology 90 percent of automobiles as well as 95 percent of pharmaceuticals used in Iran, are produced domestically; – similar situation in Marine, Aerial and Aerospace in industries

17. Transformations in Iran’s NIS Turning to a knowledge-based economy, is an inclusive discourse in Iran Supporting new-technology-based firms through providing – tax breaks – customs duty exemption – low-interest rate loans 2000 firms have been qualified to benefit from the supports yet. – near 250 of these operate in Biotechnology Setting up invention and innovation venture funds Special post-investment services to foreign investment on hi- tech, especially through Pardis Technology Park – Pardis Technology Park has near 230 members, exporting 38 hi-tech products and services to 40 countries

18. boosting international S&T collaborations based on established capacities Seeking productivity through global collaborations enablers in established in the NIS for better engagement in global cooperation Institutional capacity building including Construction and enhancement of physical research infrastructures Establishment of centers of excellence in the form of scientific communities

19. Iran is determined, prepared and welcoming for cooperation in hi-technologies!