Minister: Digital Economy Helps Development Projections

Tehran, Sept 11, IRNA – Minister of Communication and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi says comprehensive and digital economy is helping development targets in countries. Addressing the opening session of the 7th Asia-Pacific Communication and Information Technology (APT) Ministerial Session in Brunei, Vaezi stressed on general use of communication and information services and technologies while respecting cultural and social values. “Development of local content which pay respect to cultural values and social norms in countries is highly important.” The session was opened in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Brunei capital, Wednesday and will continue on Thursday. He outlined ICT projects implemented in Iran in the past year and said expansion of the Internet in rural areas, opening of rural ICT centers, implementation of national school network, and development of national information network were among those plans. He stressed on development and expansion of national information network in Iran and said the country is increasing the nationwide fiber optic network in order to offer better services to cities and rural areas. He concluded by emphasizing on the development of cooperation among regional countries and said efforts should be made in order to fill in the digital gap among developed and the developing countries. The APT is an organization of governments, telecom service providers, manufacturers of communication equipment, research and development organizations, and other stakeholders active in the field of information and communications technology. The organization has 38 members, four associate members and 132 affiliate members. The APT meeting, themed 'Building Smart Digital Economy through ICT', has focused on smart Policy for Sustainable Growth of ICT and Economy; Safe and Secure Society through ICT; Enabling a Sustainable ICT Ecosystem for an Innovative Economy; and Business and Industry Related Theme./end