Italy keen on cooperating with Azerbaijan in ICT sector
By Nazrin Gadimova
Italy is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of information and communication technologies.
The remark was made by Italian Ambassador Giampaolo Cutillo at a meeting with Deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Iltimas Mammadov.
Cutillo led an Italian delegation, which included executives of companies Exprivia S.a.P and Apulian Aerospace (Distretto Aerospaziale Pugliese).
Mammadov informed the delegation about the opportunities for cooperation, and highlighted potential ICT projects.
The ambassador hailed opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in a variety of fields, in particular alternative energy, and high technologies.
Cutillo emphasized that Italy placed particular emphasis on development of the ICT sector, adding it was key economic priorities for the country along with food, fashion and design industries.
The event featured presentation of the Italian companies.
Italy remains the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods. Almost a quarter of Azerbaijan's export went to Italy in January-July 2013, compared to 22 percent in the same period in 2012. Currently, 45 Italian companies operate in Azerbaijan in insurance, banking, trade, and other areas.
Last year was declared the Year of ICT in Azerbaijan, and it was marked with a series of significant events such as launching Azerbaijan's first telecommunications satellite, Azerspace-1.
Moreover, last year saw a 10.7 percent increase in revenues of the ICT sector to over $2 million. The sector demonstrated a growth by 14 percent.
Azerbaijan has also preserved its leading positions among CIS and Central Asian countries for internet penetration, which stood at 70 percent in 2013.