Business Incubation Center inaugurated in Baku
By Nigar Orujova
Business Incubation Center of the High-Tech Park was officially inaugurated in Baku, Head of Research and Development of the Park, Ulvi Aslanov, said on December 25.
The incubation center with a total area of about 2,000 square meters and the central office of the park are located on the third floor of the "AF Business House" in Baku.
Aslanov went on to note that ICT projects admission will begin in January. The center's activities will be based on two principles. The first principle is the so-called "Open office", which will allow everyone to separately work on one specific project. The second principle is called "shared office" and can include up to five companies. Each company can work on a project as a team.
The business incubation center's participants will be provided with computer equipment and internet access. If necessary, the center will be ready to provide the necessary support for project initiators, as well.
Only promising projects can claim to be developed in the incubation center. Once the project reaches the desired stage of development, the next step will be shifting them to the High-Tech Park.
The center will also organize workshops to enhance the skills of the participants.
The high-tech park, which is under construction, will cover 50 hectares in the Pirallahi district of Baku. Work is currently underway to build the park, construct the necessary infrastructure, study pertinent international experience, and address other organizational issues.
The park is being created in the country under a decree of the Azerbaijani President, enacted on November 5, 2012. 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.
Once commissioned, the facility will expand the scope of ICTs, and lay the ground for creating a modern complex to carry out research and IT development based on current scientific and technological developments.
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.