Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi added the figure was less than 100 when his administration took office.

Led by the Leader’s guidelines and fielded by the government, the knowledge-based companies have played an effective role, he mentioned.

In May, Oil Minister Javad Owji said his ministry’s “umbrella is open to fully protect domestic companies that present knowledge-based and environmental plans”.

“We have to pay special attention to knowledge-based firms and develop their activities in the oil industry,” he stressed.

Iran can increase its oil and gas production by using knowledge-based firms, Owji added.

The minister noted that knowledge-based firms and highly skilled experts have the capacity to greatly help the oil and gas sectors boost their production in hydrocarbon fields.