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Minister: Azerbaijan turning into regional transit center

5 December 2017 10:22 (UTC+04:00)
Minister: Azerbaijan turning into regional transit center

By Sara Israfilbayova

Bakutel 2017, a unique business platform where both specialists and professionals from various ICT fields can meet, is bringing together 192 companies from 20 countries this year.

The opening ceremony of the 23rd Azerbaijan International Telecommunications and Information Technologies Exhibition and Conference took place in Baku Expo Center on December 5.

Addressing the event, Ramin Guluzade, Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, stressed that today Azerbaijan is turning into a regional transit center both in logistics and information exchange, adding that the work is underway to create a transit regional information highway in the country.

“Negotiations and meetings held within the exhibition-conference will contribute to the further development of the ICT sector,” the minister said. “This event has been held for 23 years in a row. It is an important event that unites the people involved in the ICT sector.”

He said that Bakutel exhibition-conference is the venue where leading business leaders and specialists meet, noting that during this event, important decisions are made regarding the further development of the ICT sector.

“Moreover, Bakutel is the place for the presentation of the latest modern ICT solutions. New start-up projects will be demonstrated at the exhibition. The exhibition is also a good platform for exchange of experience,” he said.

Iran's Minister for ICT Mohammad Javad Azeri Jahromi making the remarks at the ceremony stated that Iran is interested to cooperate with Azerbaijan in different spheres of economy, including information communication technologies (ICT) section.

The minister went on to say that there are several directions of cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan and interaction in transit of internet traffic from south of Iran to Azerbaijan onward in the northern direction -- to Russia -- represent one of them.

“In accordance with the memorandum, the two countries cooperate in the field of cyber security, as well as in postal service and e-government. The postal operators of the two countries inked relevant agreements and set up transit of postal deliveries. The ongoing construction of railway communication between the two countries will also give impetus to the development of ties. In general we are interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in different fields,” the minister said.

ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao told reporters that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) highly appreciates contribution of Azerbaijan and Russia to ensuring cybersecurity at international level.

He noted that cyberattacks are threatening everyone and therefore cybersecurity is important.

Cybersecurity is among the most topical issues, especially amid transition to the digital economy, he noted, adding that the ITU is working on this issue, and, being an international organization, it highly appreciates the role of Azerbaijan, Russia and other countries in cybersecurity.

Houlin Zhao also visited Bakutel 2017 and shared his impressions of this annual event as its regular guest.

Zhao said that usually at Bakutel he sees stands of industry companies that offer their products and solutions, but this year he saw a lot of pavilions of state agencies as well. This is of great importance for foreign partners, he noted, adding that companies from about 20 countries are taking part in the exhibition.

He stressed that active participation of start-ups in the exhibition was very encouraging, adding that this contributes to the long-term development of small business in Azerbaijan.

Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communications of Turkey Ahmet Arslan told reporters that Bakutel 2017 is an excellent opportunity for the participating Turkish companies to demonstrate their achievements.

The minister noted that Bakutel becomes an increasingly important event every year.

“As you know, Turkish companies take part in this event every year and show a special interest in this exhibition,” he said.

Arslan noted that if to compare the level of development of telecommunications and information technologies in Turkey and in a number of other countries, one can see how this sphere advanced in Turkey.

The sector of telecommunications and information technologies is one of the most rapidly developing areas, he said.

The Turkish minister also congratulated Azerbaijan on holding the International Telecommunications and Information Technologies Exhibition and Conference.

As the main arena for presenting IT products and services, Bakutel has acquired status as the main business platform where new contacts and businesses are created.

This year the event gathered companies from Azerbaijan, China, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey, the U.S., UAE and others.

Among the event's participants are leading ICT companies of Azerbaijan, mobile operators, telecom operators, Internet providers, system integrators, distributors of well-known brands and radio and television broadcasting companies.

As much as 40 percent of this year's participants are regular exhibitors of exhibition. Bakutel 2017 will also welcome a number of new companies such as BMC Software, Hikvision, Nexus Telecom, Qmatic, etc.

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