Belarus ready to share high-tech experience with Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
Belarus has expressed readiness to share its experience in high technologies field with Azerbaijan.
This was said by Belarusian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Nikolay Paskevich at a meeting with Azerbaijan's Communications and High Technologies Minister Ali Abbasov.
Paskevich said high technologies parks operating in Belarus are interested in cooperating with the high technologies park of Azerbaijan. He added that Belarusian companies also intend to participate in the development of space industry in Azerbaijan.
Referring to the strategic and friendly relations established between the two countries in all areas, Paskevich praised the existing cooperation in the field of communications and high technologies.
Paskevich stressed that Azerbaijan's economic opportunities allow the country to further develop its high technologies field.
Besides, he noted that Belarusian companies will demonstrate their products and services in the exhibition and conference of BakuTel-2014 to be held in Baku on December 2-5.
Abbasov also noted the special significance of communications and high technologies in the development of bilateral cooperation.
Currently, ten high-tech parks are operating in Belarus. The first Azerbaijan's IT-Technological Park is under construction on a 50-hectare land area in Pirallahi district of Baku.
The new facility will be an area with the necessary infrastructure, logistics and governing entities for conducting research in ICT, telecommunications and space use, energy efficiency, and the development of new and high technologies.
Residents and companies operating in the park will be exempt from the 18 percent VAT on imported infrastructural and technological goods and services. The park participants will also be exempt from tax and customs duty for seven years.
The park's activity is expected to expand the ICT sector of the country based on current scientific and technological achievements, and to ensure the creation of modern complexes for research and development of new information technologies.
The park will play an important role in the sustainable development of economy and competitiveness.