The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has stressed planning for the development of the locally-launched search engines.
He made the statement chairing a meeting with members of the ICT
Ministry’s Steering Council on Development of the National Information Network
on Sunday.
“The operational plan for the development of indigenous
search engines has to be prepared including identification of challenges and suggesting
solutions for improving these services.”
The minister was presented with a report on the latest status
of the implementation of National Information Network projects and their
progress.
The meeting reviewed the implementation process of the
programs, existing challenges, and solutions for accelerating the achievement
of the defined objectives.
Hashemi stressed providing accurate and transparent reports
based on measurable indicators, and added: Project progress reports must
present a clear picture of the current situation, the extent to which
objectives have been achieved, and the gap to the desired target.
“Based on these reports, effective decision-making and
accurate performance evaluation can be made.”
One of the main items on the agenda of the meeting was the
review of the status of indigenous search engines and the development process
of domestic search services on the National Information Network platform.
Reports were presented on measures adopted, existing
capacities, and obstacles facing the development of these services, as council
members shared their views and suggestions in this regard.
Referring to the importance of strengthening indigenous essential
application services in the country’s digital ecosystem, he urged the developers
of the Zarrebin (Magnifier) search engine to submit their economic and
technical plan, along with specific and practical proposals, for review and
decision-making at the Special Headquarters for Organizing the Cyberspace
The ICT Minister further reiterated developing a
comprehensive picture of the status of indigenous search engines.
“It is required that within the next week, a written report
on the current situation, services provided, existing challenges, and solutions
for the development of indigenous search engines be prepared and submitted.”
“It can serve as the basis for subsequent decision-making,”
he noted.