Azerbaijani official cites scientific potential to boost ICT sector
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan has great scientific potential that plays an important role in the development of the ICT sector, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Elmir Velizade has said.
Speaking at an international conference on the issues of mathematics and computer science in Baku on May 29, Velizade said that the work done in the ICT field has contributed to significant development of the sector.
Velizade believes the leading role in attaining success in the ICT sector is played by both professionals in the field and the work of Azerbaijani scientists.
"A synthesis of science, experience and practice contributes to new major achievements in this area. Accordingly, there is currently a need to strengthen the scientific potential for further development of science in the country. Azerbaijan has a strong research potential, which has turned into a sort of a school for many industries. Today, the main task is maintaining this school as well as its further development," Velizade noted.
2013 was declared the Year of ICT in Azerbaijan; moreover, in order to develop the domestic ICT sector, ICT University was established under a presidential order in February.
President Ilham Aliyev also approved the regulations on the State Fund for IT Development and the Action Plan on the Year of ICT in Azerbaijan. According to the action plan, it is planned to develop an ICT strategy, improve the registration procedure of the national domain .az and significantly reduce fees for telecommunication services and Internet access.