Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijan achieved 10.5 percent growth in the ICT sector in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period of last year, according to the information provided during a board meeting of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies on the outcomes of the first half of 2013.

Opening the meeting, Minister Ali Abbasov said that thanks to successful economic policy, Azerbaijan's non-oil sector has achieved significant development and growth rate.

According to him, the ICT sector plays an important role in the development of the non-oil economy.

Azerbaijan ranked eighth among 144 countries on the index of "Government's achievements in ICT", ninth on the index of "Importance of ICT in the government's view for the future" and 20th on "Internet availability" in the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report 2013, Abbasov said.

The information relating to projects implemented over the six months was delivered at the meeting in accordance with the Action Plan of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies pertaining to the announcement of 2013 as ICT Year.

Reports of heads of several associations and enterprises of the communications ministry were heard at the meeting.

In conclusion, Abbasov made recommendations regarding further activities associated with the expansion of digital television broadcasting in Azerbaijan, the expansion of financial services in the postal sector, information security, e-government, electronic services, introduction of broadband Internet services throughout the country, and implementation of projects jointly with the Science Development Fund under the President of Azerbaijan.

Abbasov also stressed the importance of using information and communication technologies jointly with the Central Election Commission (CEC) at the country's upcoming presidential elections.