Conference on the topic ‘Inter-business in Azerbaijan: the current situation and prospects for development’ held in Baku

A conference on the topic ‘Inter-business in Azerbaijan: the current situation and prospects for development’ has been held in Baku within the framework of the “Startup Azerbaijan” project. The activity was organized with the support of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The minister of communications and information technologies Ali Abbasov delivered a statement at the conference.

He told the gathering that the improvement of the economy’s   structure and development of the non-oil sector were the priority directions of the future development of the country’s economy.

“The state will support building scientific capacity and creating favorable climate for the development of innovative entrepreneurship. During the next 8-10 years the production of commercially viable and export-oriented products will be substantially expanded in the republic. Innovative development will play the major role in expanding relatively small Azerbaijan’s market. In this context, the creation of startups is considered to be one of the main directions of the state policy. We will continue implementing measures towards the formation of the environment of fair competition in the country, which will insure the successful development and commercial efficiency of startups, and will limit the monopolization of the economy and the consumer market in particular.”

In his speech A. Abbasov also pointed out that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will always support innovative ideas. He said that it was very important for startups to patent their innovative ideas. The president of the Azerbaijan Internet Forum Osman Gunduz, who is at the same time the head of Startup Azerbaijan, also spoke at the activity. In his speech O Gunduz underlined the importance of holding discussions on the current situation with startups and prospects for their future development with the participation of all concerned parties.

“The number of internet users and particularly the users of broadband internet has significantly increased in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the sphere of electronic services has been expanded, and this market has considerably developed in the republic. In the context of the ongoing development of all spheres in Azerbaijan, it is very important to create a favorable environment for the development of startups. In this connection, all proposals and recommendations made with regard to the elimination of problems impeding the development of internet-business will be summarized and presented to the concerned parities.” Then, presentations on the results of “Startup Azerbaijan” competition were delivered, and competition finalists were announced.

After that, discussions on such topics as “Support of internet projects by the state and private sector. Why IT investors can be found?”, “National payment systems and mobile payments. E-trade and ‘cashless society’”, “The current online startup market in Azerbaijan. New ideas or the ‘copy’ of the existing ideas? There is a startup, but there is no money, there is money, but there is no a startup” were held in 3 panels. Also, within the conference pitch sessions with the participation of investors and the startups, which have reached the final, were held. Note that Bakcell company is the chief sponsor of “Startup Azerbaijan” project, which is also sponsored by Microsoft and Infi Pro companies.