Western sanctions making life tough for Iranian software developers

• published: 03 Aug 2015
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Developing software applications for smart phones is a new trend among Iran's young technology enthusiasts, but Western banking sanctions have made it difficult for Iranian developers to sell their work internationally. Almost all Western countries have banned money transfers to Iran and financial transactions with Iranians. Iran's internet bandwidth is also far lower than that of developed countries, and many websites and services are blocked for Iranians, either by the companies or by the Iranian government. Big name tech companies like Apple and Google have even denied Iranian developers access to resources and services needed for software development. SEEB, a software group based in Tehran, is among the country's most successful software startups and has released several applications for smart phones. One application, an innovative sound recorder called Boice, has received international attention from iPhone users. Other offerings by the group include apps for finding local gas stations and an app for live streaming news conferences and events. But the problem of banking sanctions has made life difficult for the team. Shahin Katebi, a SEEB mobile application developer, said he has to travel abroad and open bank accounts in other countries to receive payments. For transferring the money into Iran, with the help of relatives living abroad, he must go through yet another complicated procedure. Pooya Khoddam, another developer, said such problems have made many talented Iranians migrate to the West. In February, a technology workshop was held at the University of Tehran where young men and women could share and discuss ideas for creating technology startups. Technology enthusiasts learnt how to turn their ideas into business plans and ultimately, successful startups. With the price of housing and offices skyrocketing in recent years, mainly due to the crippling international sanctions and mismanagement of the populist government, forming new traditional companies has become extremely difficult. Young technology enthusiasts, therefore, have resorted to cyber space to form online business, which are far less costly than renting an office. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/d3c01582bc361d7e1cac7e889d1bea7f Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork