Azerbaijan ranks second among European countries with highest growth rate in high-tech exports
By Leman Mammadova
Most areas of the modern world economy are no longer thought without the development of high technology. New discoveries and updated industries are beginning to actively change the world, using robotics, telecommunications, nanotechnology, electronics, genetic engineering and much more.
Scientific information is used in large quantities, fundamentally new and complicated material resources are being developed.
The UK's London Loves Business has publicated a list of European countries with the highest growth rate in high tech exports.
RS Components analyzed 10-year high-tech export data from the World Bank to see which countries show the largest growth.
Azerbaijan ranks second with an average annual growth rate of 41.1 percent from $ 9,073,107 export value in 2006, to $ 9,132,464 in 2016.
As many as 49.9 percent of Azerbaijan’s exports in 2016 were delivered to European countries, while 46.4 percent were sold to Asian importers.
According to the World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency estimates, goods and services exported from Azerbaijan make up 45.9 percent of total economic output in Azerbaijan.
Albania and Montenegro are among top three with the highest average annual growth of high tech export.
Albania with the highest average annual growth rate in high-tech export value, demonstrated increase with a 155.2 percent from $ 3,968,947 in 2006 to $ 8,424,644 in 2016.
High-tech exports include aviation, computers, pharmaceuticals, some types of chemicals, electronics, certain types of weapons and other products, in the production of which scientific research is being introduced. The World Bank regularly calculates how the countries of the world contribute by exporting high-tech goods.
Whatever the crisis, the development of high technologies in the West and in the advanced countries of the East does not stop. Moreover, countries that do not have time to master a new technological cycle are slipping into decades behind.
ICT is considered to be one of the crucial spheres for the further development of Azerbaijan's economy and an integral part of the economic and political reforms which are currently implemented in the country. The income to be obtained in the sector in Azerbaijan is projected to hit $9 billion by 2020.
In general, Azerbaijan is one of the leading countries implementing high technology in the region. Investment in the development of the ICT sector in Azerbaijan is expected to rise to $4 billion by 2020. Today, the country constructs high tech parks in the capital and in regions.
Due to the full transition to digital broadcasting in our country, the population now has the opportunity to watch radio and television broadcasts without interruption. The range and scope of postal and telecommunication services have grown and the infrastructure has been upgraded
For the first time in Azerbaijan, all regional centers of the country joined the main fiber-optic telecommunication network, Azerbaijan has the most secure Data Center in the region. Today, local and international IT service providers can create their own infrastructure safely in Data Center
One of the biggest achievements of Azerbaijan in the field of ICT in recent years is that, first of all, it is the only country in the region that has a space industry.
The country is also paying much attention to the formation of "electronic government" and simplification of the official civil relationships through the use of IT means to prevent bureaucratic obstacles.
Azerbaijan is also the initiator and active implementer of many regional projects in the field of ICT. Implementation of Trans-Eurasia Super Information Highway (TASIM) project supported by UN General Assembly resolutions (2009, 2012 and 2013), as well as implementation of the "Europe-Middle East Information Highway" (Europe-Persia Express Gateway - EPEG) will significantly increase Azerbaijan's access to the Internet.
The State Fund for Development of Information Technology and "High Technology Park" are subordinated to the Ministry of Transport, Communication and High Technologies for the purpose of developing competitive and highly competitive, innovative ICT industries in the country.
These institutions provide financial support and organizational support to the strengthening of the Azerbaijani economy, attracting foreign investment, and expanding ICT production in the country, the organization of the newly established companies and innovative initiatives.