Iranian Firms Participate in China Hi-Tech Exhibition

EghtesadOnline: The 21st China Hi-Tech Fair (also known as CHTF 2019) kicked off on Wednesday in Shenzhen City, attracting over 3,300 exhibitors from across the world, including 10 Iranian knowledge-based companies.

News ID: ۷۴۸۹۵۳

16 November 2019

Themed "Invigorating the Greater Bay Area Through Opening-up and Innovation", this year's CHTF showcases over 10,000 major scientific and technological projects, the event's website reported.

A delegation of directors of 70 knowledge-based companies, headed by Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari, is attending the five-day fair, according to Financial Tribune.

Besides, 10 Iranian tech firms have established pavilions at the venue and exhibit their latest technological attainments, the vice president’s website reported.

The firms are mainly active in fields like information technology, stem cells, industrial equipment and machinery, advanced metallurgy and health.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Sattari said, "Innovation has become a keyword in policymaking in Iran. Tapping local tech firms’ potentials for developing scientific and technological innovations is placed high on the agenda."

The vice president said state support for tech firms has created a large innovation network, connecting universities and industries in the country.

"Developing the required infrastructures, including tech centers, accelerators, tech parks, innovation zones and investment funds, has largely obviated the gaps between the academia and industries," he said.

“Today, 4,700 knowledge-based companies are active across Iran, creating jobs for over 300,000 people. These firms have collectively generated $11 billion since 2010.”

Sattari noted that technology development in China, particularly in Shenzhen, can be emulated by Iranian tech policymakers.

Underlining the presence of businesspeople, investors and visitors from across the world, Sattari described the fair as a great opportunity for the Iranian delegation to introduce their capabilities and forge ties with foreign partners.

Expansion of Ties

On the sidelines of the fair, Sattari met Chinese science and technology authorities and discussed ways of developing bilateral ties in the field.

Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang told Sattari in a Thursday meeting in Beijing that China will make every effort to strengthen scientific and academic relations and cooperation with Iran.

He added that China's relations with Iran on sci-tech will hopefully become a model for the world.

The meeting concluded with an agreement signed by the two sides on promoting collaboration among tech parks, universities and innovation centers in both countries.

Besides, in another forum in Shenzhen City later that day, seven agreements were signed between Iranian knowledge-based companies and their Chinese counterparts, on expansion of cooperation and exchange of experience.

The agreements were on cell therapy, gene therapy and the production of social robots.

An autonomous social robot interacts and communicates with humans or other autonomous physical agents by following social behaviors and rules specified about its role. The robots are increasingly used in different areas of society such as public health, elderly care, education and commerce.

Iranian and Chinese tech firms, as well as investments and technology authorities, discussed joint projects and the supply of knowledge-based products to international markets for further developing the economy.

Pointing to the strong cooperation between the two countries, Sattari expressed hope that bilateral relations will grow into an overarching partnership in a variety of spheres, besides science, technology and economy.

CHTF organizers say that the fair fully demonstrates the major tech development directions, emerging industries, deep integration of industrialization and move to eco-friendly development.

Known as a major science and technology show in china, CHTF is hosted by several Chinese departments and organization, as well as Shenzhen Municipality.

Over 60 multinational corporations like Microsoft, IBM, Sony, Qualcomm, Samsung, Toshiba, LG and Panasonic are exhibiting their products in the event.

Over 500,000 people from about 100 countries have so far visited the event.