TEHRAN – Iranian and Serbian officials discussed potential ways to implement agreements that have been reached previously in the information, communications and technology (ICT) sector.
On February 25-27, Iranian delegation led by the ICT Minister, Sattar Hashemi officially visited Belgrade at the invitation of Serbian counterpart Dejan Listic.
The authorities have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation in the ICT field.
The line effectively held a meeting on Tuesday, focusing on data transfer and security, inter-private sector cooperation and experts from both countries, Mehr’s news agency reported.
They also highlighted the benefits of mutual experience in the fields of innovation, artificial intelligence, cloud services and platform economy.
It has been decided to hold a technical working group that includes government agencies and the private sector of both countries to follow up on the contract. The working group is responsible for developing a roadmap for future collaboration and identifying viable bilateral projects.
In February, Listic praised Iran’s advances in the field of space communication, design, construction and initiation of satellites of sensing and communication.
Officials said the meeting with Hashemi had a particular focus on establishing and increasing cooperation in scientific and research activities and developing 5G networks.
“We have agreed to establish several collaborative teams as soon as next week to define mechanisms to enhance cooperation in the IT sector, postal traffic and e-commerce,” Ristic said.
Hashemi said signing the memorandum is another step in the development of cooperation.
“This document creates a platform and framework for co-investment, development and research,” he said.
Iran has pledged to cultivate regional AI cooperation
The combination of talent, data and innovation allows Iran to become a key player in the local artificial intelligence (AI) value chain, fostering meaningful collaboration and development. Iran is committed to promoting regional cooperation and building a future in which AI promotes prosperity and unity, Hasemi said in February.
Emphasizing that Iran is a key stakeholder of the region’s digital landscape, Hasemi said Iran is a major player in AI in the Persian Gulf and is ready to begin cooperation with the regional state on the issue.
Officials made their remarks while working on the Iranian Corridor 2025 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
He said it is a country’s mobile phone operator and a thriving digital services platform such as Snapp. And, serving over 30 million users each, Digikala offers a wealth of multifaceted data. It’s an essential element of AI development, Press TV reports.
Despite facing economic sanctions, Iran has been successfully developing a resilient fintech ecosystem that continues to flourish and innovate, Hashemmi noted.
“Our country’s academic and research capabilities have driven us to the forefront of AI advancement. In 2023, Iran ranked second in the region in terms of the number and quality of AI scientific papers, indicating its commitment to cutting-edge research and development,” he added.
“Iran holds second place in the AI developer region, highlighting the depth of its skilled workforce, ranks fourth in the region in terms of the number of AI companies, and presents our dynamic and rapidly growing ecosystem,” the Iranian minister continued.
He emphasized that Iran’s human capital is available at competitive costs and is a strategic advantage that positions Iran as a valuable partner in the region’s AI initiatives.
According to Hashemi, by cultivating an environment that encourages collaboration and investment, the Persian Gulf region will transform into a powerhouse of artificial intelligence excellence, attracting global technological giants while strengthening internal partnerships for shared prosperity.
“By establishing an AI acceleration hub, promoting co-investment in free zones, and strengthening academic collaboration and elite exchange programs, we can unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” he said.
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