Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

BakuTel 2013, the largest telecommunication and information technology exhibition in the Caucasus and Caspian region, opened in Baku on December 2.

The 19th Azerbaijan International Telecommunication and Information Technology Exhibition (BakuTel) will last until December 5.

President Ilham Aliyev familiarized with the exhibition, wishing success to participants.

The president's letter to participants of the exhibition, which involves over 250 companies from 35 countries in its four pavilions, including innovative start-up zone, was read out.

The president congratulated participants, noting, this annual event creates favorable opportunities for the organizations representing various countries, scientists and experts to come together and share their ideas, expand business contracts, and become familiar with advanced technological achievements and innovations.

"Azerbaijan has achieved sustainable growth in all areas of economic and social sectors and has become one of the fastest developing countries in the world in the field of ICT.

ICT has deeply penetrated into the life of the society in our country. Today 70 percent of the population uses the Internet where 35 percent are the users of the broadband Internet services," President Ilham Aliyev said.

The president said modern technologies and digital television broadcasting are being successfully implemented, while investment allocations and private sector activity in this area have been extending from year to year.

The Head of State also noted, the launch of the first national telecommunication satellite, Azerspace-1, into orbit is a historic achievement for Azerbaijan. Also, the establishment of the Information Technologies University and the State Fund for the Development of Information Technologies, the foundation of the High Tech Park, and implementation of other motivational measures are providing a solid foundation for the transition from a natural-resources-based economy to an innovative and technology-based one.

"The approval of the resolution regarding Azerbaijan`s initiative for the establishment of the Eurasian Communications Alliance (Eurasian Connectivity Alliance-EuraCA) during the 67th session of the UN General Assembly is a clear manifestation of the growing support of the world`s countries for the implementation of our country`s international ICT challenges," the letter said.

The president expressed his convince that the experience exchange that will take place at BakuTel 2013 will extend mutually productive cooperation between the participating countries, as well as foster the creation and implementation of new initiatives at the international and regional levels.

The BakuTel exhibition became the most important platform for the display of achievements in the high technology sector. The Azerbaijan Communication and Information Technology Ministry played a special role in the rapid growth and development of the exhibition through many years of valuable support.

The international importance of the exhibition is confirmed by the visits of representatives of international industry institutions including the United Nations (UN), International Communications Union (ITU), Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications and by the status of the exhibition as a UFI Approved Event granted by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).

2013 has been declared the year of ICT in Azerbaijan, which will be reflected throughout the BakuTel exhibition.

BakuTel 2013 includes a rich business programme, various events and many interesting activities.

The foyer contains the Azerbaijan national pavilion, which presents detailed information about the work carried out by the ministry in recent years as well as plans for the development of the industry. The United Nations (UN) pavilion will also be there with a stand for the first time to demonstrate their ICT related projects.