International internet governance forum opens in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is rapidly developing in the field of the Internet, Deputy Communication and IT Minister Elmir Valizade said at the opening of the Seventh International Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Baku on Monday.
Valizade said the Internet is developing very dynamically in the country. "The investments in this area are increasing year on year. While examining the figures of developing the Internet infrastructure, one can see that Azerbaijan holds one of the leading places in the region. The price for the Internet service is the same throughout the country and everyone has access."
He said that a good example is the number of mobile phones which exceed population numbers. These phones are also used to access the Internet.
He added that Azerbaijan is constantly decreasing prices on the internet and its infrastructure is rapidly growing.
"Our citizens have been able to use an electronic signature since 2011," he said. "This also facilitates the development of an electronic government. Currently, around 40 ministries are working with an electronic signature."
He also stressed that the Trans-Eurasian Information Superhighway project opens up great opportunities for Azerbaijan.
He said the Azerbaijani government is working to improve the situation with the Internet in the future. "We have an absolutely free Internet. Every citizen is free to express an opinion on the Internet. Our government is fully focused to improve the situation in the future."