ICT Minister Opens Digital Economy Center in Iran's Hamedan

Iran inaugurated a Digital Economy Growth and Development Center in the western province of Hamedan on Monday as part of efforts to expand the country's digital economy ecosystem, support innovative businesses and create jobs.

The center was inaugurated by Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Sattar Hashemi, who described it as the most important project of his visit to Hamedan Province, according to IRNA. Hashemi said 101 communications and infrastructure projects across Hamedan were also inaugurated and brought into operation during the visit. He said expanding communications infrastructure and supporting the digital economy remain among the government's priorities, adding that the new center would help strengthen content production, support innovative businesses and create employment opportunities for skilled young people in the province. Hashemi said developing the digital economy extends beyond expanding communications infrastructure, stressing that the production of high-quality, locally developed and value-added digital content is of critical importance and requires targeted planning alongside network expansion. He added that nine digital economy growth and development centers have so far been established across Iran under a national policy, with the Hamedan center created following provincial studies and research.

According to ISNA, the digital economy currently accounts for 7.14% of Iran's gross domestic product, compared with a global average of 15%. To narrow the gap, authorities have set a target under the country's Seventh Five-Year Development Plan to raise the sector's share of GDP to 10% by March 2029. - Iran Daily