Iran’s ICT Minister Sattar Hashemi and his Cuban counterpart, Mayra Arevich Marín, have recently engaged in a video call to discuss expanding cooperation in various ICT sectors. The discussion, which took place on Tuesday, focused on artificial intelligence, the digital economy, e-government, and postal services, as reported by the Mehr news agency.
During the meeting, Arevich Marín emphasized the potential for expanding collaborations based on previously signed agreements and welcomed the participation of Iranian private companies in the Cuban ICT market. Hashemi expressed Iranian companies’ readiness to provide ICT services in Cuba and was optimistic about implementing necessary measures promptly.
Furthermore, Arevich Marín extended an invitation to Hashemi to attend the 19th Joint Economic Commission of Iran and Cuba and the 40th edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), scheduled for November 4-9.
This dialogue builds on a history of collaboration, as underscored by a meeting in July between the then ICT Minister Issa Zarepour and Cuba’s First Deputy Minister of Communications, Wilfredo González Vidal, in Tehran. Zarepour had highlighted Iranian companies’ readiness to enter the Cuban market and transfer their expertise in ICT. González Vidal had expressed Cuba’s eagerness to welcome Iranian expertise, particularly in expanding communication networks and electronic governance, which are prioritized within Cuba’s 2030 sustainable development agenda.
The discussions also revisited the intentions set forth in a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2023, which was followed by the signing of a joint action plan. In a subsequent virtual meeting in December 2023, Iran’s Deputy Minister of ICT, Mohammad Khansari, and González Vidal explored further avenues for knowledge exchange, especially in smart electronic governance and the educational sector.
These talks underscore a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral relations through technology exchange and joint ventures in ICT, aiming to support both nations’ digital transformation goals.
