Government Policies
The High Council of Data Processing (HCDP) the only policy-maker in the computer sector is in charge of issuing permits and licenses for the establishment of firms. This Council is part of the Plan and Budget Organization and thus does not compete with the Association of Computer Service Firms. But since the Council each year issues a new list of the reputable computer services firms and excludes the names of a large number of firms, there is a great possibility that the objectives of the Association would clash with the duties of the HCDP, which aims at putting the existing system in order.
The ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Telex (PTT) has screened thousands of sites on the World Wide Web and at least started blocking those deemed unhealthy. The number of banned sites is not available but they include sites with information distributed by opposition groups, pornography and any information seen as Western propaganda.
The Ministry of Commerce acting on a proposal by the HCDP increased the customs tariffs on imported computers, so that domestic producers would gain a competitive edge in the market. Increased parity rates of the dollar adversely affected the prices of computer parts, however, domestic producers were able to gain a greater foothold in the market in view of increased prices of computers manufactured.
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Author: Sepideh Khazai
Last Update: May 6, 1997
This pages's URL is: http://gurukul.ucc.american.edu/initeb/sk4484a/gov.htm