INIC secretary: Iranian firms to cooperate in establishing ‘Nanocity Oman’
Atotal of 40 Iranian new technologybased firms (NTBF) will cooperate in establishing ‘Nanocity Oman’ — an industrial park to be set up near the Omani capital of Muscat in a few years, said the secretary of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) on Monday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the 11th International Nanotechnology Exhibition (Iran Nano 2018) in Tehran, Saeed Sarkar added seven delegations from Oman, Russia, Bolivia, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea and Iraq have taken part in the present edition of the event, IRNA reported.
Putting the number of foreign participants in the expo at over 40, he said they seek to cooperate with the Islamic Republic Iran in the field of nanotechnology.
Commenting on the types of cooperation proposals put forward by representatives of foreign delegations attending the expo, Sarkar noted that for instance the Omani group called on Iranian nanotechnology companies to take the first step towards fostering collaboration by entering markets in Oman and those of African states.
“They want Iranian firms to use the Omani market as a production hub and platform.”
The project to establish ‘Nanocity Oman’ is expected to be completed in cooperation with INIC by 2023, he said, adding at present, the feasibility studies are being conducted and the plan is being designed.
The first phase of the project will be implemented in an area of one million square meters, he added.
“This means that Iranian nanotechnology firms will set up a production unit in Oman to sell their products in Arab and African markets.”
Oman has been in talks with 40 Iranian companies to this end, he said, expressing hope that by 2019, at least, 20 of them will enter the Omani market and begin production in the Arab state.
“The establishment of the Omani industrial park will take at least five years.”
Iran exported nano-products valued at $65 million during March 21-September 22, 2018. The figure is expected to reach $110 million by March 2019, Sarkar said.
Attended by 160 foreign and domestic firms and institutions, Iran Nano 2018 was held in Tehran from October 13-16.