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an internalised intranet launched in Iran in 2016.
The project, called “Every Iranian, an Internet TV”, will open up several new media providers to people with poor internet connections who presently unable to stream video content.
At the unveiling ceremony, ICT minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said the projects would boost the country’s digital economy, while emphasising that the digital economy could go a long way to replacing the oil-dependent economy that Iran has long relied on.
“The country's digital economy has grown from growth of 2.23% in [Persian year] 1392 [2013] to 4% in 1398 [2019], meaning that hardware, software, and communications have grown by a total of 4%. In 1398, the share of the digital economy in GDP reached 6.5%, while in 1392, the figure was 3.68%,” he said. “On average, the global share of the digital economy is 15.5% of the total economy, showing that Iran has huge growth potential in digital businesses, and this is an area that needs to be concentrated on,” he added.
“Digital services are one of the key areas for growth while a number of jobs will be created in this sector,” said the minister.
Those funding the project include the second-largest mobile provider MTN-Irancell and Asiatech ISP. Both firms have reportedly invested in expanding their server capacities in different regions including Tehran and Tabriz—two data hubs for the project.
9.1.7 ​Healthcare sector news
Iranian insurers call for government help as coronavirus payout pressure mounts
The Iranian Insurers’ Organisation—an industry lobby group—has requested financial support from Iran’s government as it contends with the country’s growing death toll from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to ​Donyaye Eqtesad.​
Insurance companies, call centres and secondary agents in offices around the country suspended much of their work given closure notices issued by the government as the outbreak worsened, but following their return to operation they have found themselves buckling under the weight of applications and payouts.
Some 400,000 people are employed in the insurance sector in Iran, a country of 83mn. The industry is now facing a perfect storm of policy auto-renewals together with payouts, despite not being able to raise the base prices of policies.
The medical and life insurance segments have reportedly taken the biggest hits in recent days, with huge payouts becoming due.
Also, unemployment benefit, which is backed by insurance, has skyrocketed in recent weeks, with some 600,000 people officially laid off as a consequence of the economic effects of the pandemic in Iran. Earlier, as part of preparations to deal with the outbreak, insurance companies were told by Central Insurance of Iran to recapitalise and meet new minimum liquidity rules ahead of the impending payout surge.
The government in 2017 set IRR2.5 trillion ($65.18mn at the official exchange rate) as the minimum capital requirement for starting a reinsurance firm and IRR1tn as the requirement for starting an insurance firm.
50​ IRAN Country Report August 2020 www.intellinews.com