Mehdi Elyasi, speaking Sunday at the opening ceremony of theThird Petrotech Conference,  stated that strategic management studies indicate there is no simple or painless solution for growth and crisis management.

He noted that despite structural differences with other countries, Iran’s path to development is achievable only through persistent efforts and a shift toward modern technologies.

He stressed that managers, technologists, and engineers play a pivotal role in this journey, adding that a static and unchanging approach to business and development cannot help the country overcome global challenges.

Elyasi pointed out that social and economic challenges faced by many nations are also present in Iran. Issues such as retirement and economic difficulties are global problems that countries address to pave the way for progress. Therefore, acknowledging these challenges and providing scientific and technological solutions is an unavoidable necessity for Iran.

Highlighting the significant role of knowledge-based companies, Elyasi said that over the past 12 years, the implementation of the law supporting new technology-based firms (NTBFs) has created a foundation for their growth.

Currently, around 100,000 skilled individuals are active in this sector. Although these companies contribute only 3.5% to the country’s GDP, increased collaboration with major industries can unlock greater economic potential.

Following the approval of the Knowledge-Based Production Leap Law in 1401, new tools have been established to foster collaboration between knowledge-based companies and major industries such as the National Iranian Oil Company, petrochemical firms, and automakers.

Elyasi explained that the law aims to define new economic frameworks and enhance interactions among key industry players.

He added that this trend has expanded the use of modern technologies across the country, and through synergy among various industries, sustainable development and economic growth can be achieved.

Enhancing collaboration between large enterprises, NTBFs for supply chain management

Elyasi emphasized that to strengthen collaboration between large enterprises and NTBFs, smaller firms are leveraging modern tools and financial support to effectively manage supply chains.

These collaborations, formed through knowledge-based consortia and venture capital (VC) funds, aim to complete production chains and reduce risks for larger companies.

Under this new framework, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology is directly involved, providing financial resources, tax incentives, and support programs to encourage large companies to collaborate with knowledge-based firms. Large enterprises can also establish VC funds to invest in research and development projects of smaller companies.

One of the key tools in this effort is tax credit packages, which large companies can utilize. According to the Knowledge-Based Production Leap Law, knowledge-based companies can receive financial support for R&D, covering 100% of costs related to research, raw materials, specialized equipment, and production processes.

Elyasi noted that new laws, particularly those enacted in 1401, have streamlined tax-related challenges and facilitated executive processes, easing the path for commercial and technological collaborations. Over the past two years, no reports of rejected tax credits by the tax organization have been recorded, as supportive and executive laws have been fully implemented.

Ultimately, these efforts aim to reduce investment risks for large companies and foster strategic collaborations to drive national economic growth. The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, in close cooperation with major enterprises, is committed to pursuing this trend systematically and supporting positive, constructive interactions across various industrial sectors.