According to the NPC, Qodratollah Nasiri said that all industry stakeholders should focus on targeted support for knowledge-based companies active across different sectors. “When we talk with some small and knowledge-based companies, we realize their main challenge is securing raw materials,” he said. “Supportive policies for small enterprises must become an institutional part of petrochemical industry development.”

Nasiri added that this supportive approach should follow a defined roadmap. “The NPC has prepared a roadmap for developing downstream industries, and it is now time to implement it,” he said. “Under the Seventh Development Plan, one of the key responsibilities is expanding downstream industries. This goal cannot be achieved without advancing technology, so clear strategies must be designed to improve and localize it.”

Government-industry synergy

Highlighting the importance of supporting technology-driven and knowledge-based firms, Nasiri said such support not only boosts domestic production but also strengthens Iran’s presence in regional markets. “If we encourage creative young people and innovative companies, provide them with necessary facilities, and leverage the Innovation and Prosperity Fund, we will soon witness significant growth in regional markets,” he said. “This is valuable not only for the national economy but also for job creation.”

Nasiri outlined three main responsibilities for the NPC: strengthening the presence of Iranian companies in regional and global markets; selecting appropriate technologies to help major petrochemical firms maintain global competitiveness; and generating widespread employment for young people. Achieving these goals, he said, requires close cooperation among the government, industry, and support institutions such as innovation funds.

“The petrochemical industry today is no longer limited to production,” Nasiri added. “Survival and competitiveness in international markets depend on advanced technologies, diversified products, and attention to downstream markets. These are the areas where knowledge-based companies can play a major role — and we must create the conditions for their voices to be heard.”