All Azerbaijani state agencies to switch to licensed software

By late 2011, all ministries and agencies in Azerbaijan will switch to licensed software, the Head of the Azerbaijani IT company Ultra Zaur Mammadzade said on Tuesday.

The project is implemented by the Azerbaijani Communications and IT Ministry.

In May the Azerbaijani government signed an official agreement with Microsoft, in accordance with which all state authorities covered by the agreement must use only licensed software. This agreement was signed to reduce the level of pirated software used in the country.

As part of the agreement, the Azerbaijani government undertook creating electronic service e-Government ("e-Government" concept) to reduce risks associated with using pirated software, and thereby improve the quality of services provided to citizens, business representatives, and government officials.

---