Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The information age presuppose developing of the information and communication technologies at fast pace to ensure security and stable development of any country of the world. Azerbaijan, the leading country of the region in terms of the ICT, continues to develop this sector by attracting major player and startups to share experience in the sphere at Bakutel exhibition.

The BakuTel 2015 – International Telecommunications and Information Technologies Exhibition and Conference is open in Baku for the 21st time from December 2 until December 5.

The country continues improving its position in the world-wide ICT ranking and this time ranked the 67th on the index of information and communication technologies development, rising three points compared to the figure of 2013, and nine points compared to 2010, according to the latest report of the International Telecommunication Union for 2015.

Azerbaijan is among the dynamically developing countries in the field of information and communication technologies, President Ilham Aliyev said in his address to the exhibition participants. “Our country has taken important steps towards building the foundations of an information society.”

The head of state noted the milestone events in the ICT sector of Azerbaijan including creation and developing of the Electronic government, expanding of the broadband internet services, launching of the telecommunication and low-orbit satellites, etc.

“Projects highly appreciated by influential international structures – Trans-Eurasian information superhighway and Europe-Middle East Information Superhighway, which were initiated by Azerbaijan, are successfully implemented,” he noted. “Creation of technological parks, the use of advanced technologies in education, state support of innovation projects of industrial and investment nature serve to the development of high-tech sector in the country and the region.”

Visiting the exhibition, the head of state was informed that Bakutel 2015, brings together more than 200 companies, and the number of debutants in the exhibition accounts for 15 percent of the total number of participants.

Over the years, BakuTel has acquired the status of main business event, where new IT-products and services demonstrated, and strong contacts and new businesses are created.

One of the major event that opened the exhibition was signing of an agreement between Azerbaijan’s satellite operator Azercosmos and French Arianespace company to put Azerspace-2 satellite into orbit.

The exhibition features stands by leading ICT companies, mobile operators, communications operators, and distributors of world-known brands.

However, Bakutel is not only an exhibition, but also a number of workshops for participating companies. In addition to business meetings and negotiations, surprises, contests and quizzes using IT-technologies were organized for all visitors and exhibitors.

The head of state visited both local and foreign pavilions at the exhibition.

At the stand of the Communications and High-Tech Ministry, the president was informed in detail about the Electronic Government portal and the Data Center.

The E-Government portal, launched in 2012, brings together more than 80 state organizations. Currently, 45 institutions render citizens more than 650 e-services. Moreover, 35 non-state actors were also connected to this portal and use these services. Over the past two years, the number of users of the portal increased 10 times to 2.5 million people. Since last year, issuing of electronic certificates has also started.

Meanwhile, the Data Center, the first in the region based on the cloud technology, is ready for operation. Entering the Data Center in operation will expand the E-government in the country, store information data of both public and private bodies.

The exhibition also presents the first resident of the newly created Mingachevir High Tech Park – HTECH Invest company, that aims to provide an assembly of production of the internationally renowned companies in the field of information technology in Azerbaijan.

The single satellite operator in the Caucasus – Azerspace displays its possibilities that include high quality satellite services for telecommunications and geographical exploration.

The European Grand Prix Formula 1 that will open in Baku in summer 2016, is also participating at the exhibition.

Moreover, the exhibition presents services of such world-known companies as Google, CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research, as well as other local and international organizations.

The traditional exhibition Bakutel will help companies to expand cooperation, while spectaculars will be able to get familiar with innovation in the ICT. Visitors can use special free buses running to the Baku Expo Center and back every hour from the metro station Koroglu.