[13.08.2006]

Mr. Aliyev, President of the SINAM Company, made a statement on ICT theme at the business forum in USA

1st Azerbaijan – American Business Forum in the field of high technologies was held in USA on July 13, 2006 . SINAM Company's President Mr. Elchin Aliyev was among participants of this forum. Mr. Aliyev gave an interview to “Morning” TV program of state AzTV-1 channel dedicated to the mentioned business-forum.

You were participant of that event. Besides, you as a representative of the Azerbaijani business-sector made a presentation at the event. What kind of issues was discussed during the event?

I would like to note that the visit of Azeri delegation was the first after the official visit of the President H.E. Ilham Aliyev to USA . This visit had a great significance for the ICT field of Azerbaijan because it was directed towards increase of awareness about our country in USA . During the forum and different meetings we described ICT sector potential as well as investment capabilities of our country.

It should be mentioned that during this visit the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies (MCIT) was presented in cooperation with the representatives of the national business-sector. This partnership called 3P (Private/Public Partnership) is widely developed in the leading countries of the West and is directed towards provision of support to the field and inspires its development. That's why SINAM Company together with the other two Azeri IT companies decided to draw on this experience.

The main theme of the forum and other meetings was the widening of cooperation between Azerbaijan and USA. Azerbaijan's potential allows our country to become the strategic partner of USA in different fields including ICT. In this connection Azeri business-sector is able to become an important element in this cooperation system. The fact that the government is able to create favourable conditions for the field but without direct participation of the local partners investments are of low-capacity. The positive think is that these issues were widely discussed during the bilateral meetings with American side. It should be particularly noted the meetings with HP , Cisco , Microsoft and Intel. For example, during the meeting with Intel we have proposed to create Intel Regional Innovation Center in Azerbaijan . Intel has five such centers in different regions. It's notable that Intel is ready to consider Azerbaijan within the Caspian region. But for that Azerbaijan needs to improve legislative base, create free economic zone etc.

ICT is a second priority after oil in Azerbaijan . How do you think why it is so?

In 2003, during the Geneva stage of the World Summit on the Information Society President Ilham Aliyev made a statement: “let's convert “the black gold” into the human gold”. For practical realization of this statement ICTs are ideal solution. For example, to develop any other economic field large investments directed towards establishment and creation of production space are required. However, for ICT development it's necessary only intellectual resources.

Moreover, necessary infrastructure is created in Azerbaijan . Our country is the first in the region connected to the European fiber backbone.

As regards the creation of intellectual products I can give you some examples of SINAM Company activities. Presently, SINAM implements tasks for Europe, USA , and Asia . Other leading Azeri companies have the same capabilities as well.

Azerbaijan is able to make use the experience of India , China etc. where ICT is one of the economy priority fields.

In 2009 – 2015 petroleum production in Azerbaijan will be at the peak level but after 2025 production will decrease. We have to ask ourselves – what will happen then? How Azerbaijan will develop after decrease of oil profits? That's why we support the concept of ICT potential increase.

What is the level of competitiveness of Azerbaijan in the region?

Level of ICT development, qualitative and quantitative indices of Azerbaijan are more then indices of other region's countries. Moreover, realization of large-scaled projects in the field of education, infrastructure, e-government etc. is underway.

How do you estimate the local production level and human potential?

As you know, “KUR” factory on electronic equipment assembling was created in Mingechevir. It's the first conveyer hi-tech production factory in the Central Asia and South Caucasus region. This factory has the international ISO certificate . It should be also noted that “ KUR ” already participates and wins international tenders .

As regards the human potential, please note that there are some problems with high-qualified specialists training. Azerbaijani institutions of higher education have some problems with the training issues of human resources for ICT. It has to be done a lot for addressing this issue. For example, it's possible to cover the payment for education of Azeri students in the foreign institutions at the expense of State Oil Fund. Besides, it's also possible to realize some educational programs in Azerbaijan .