MCHT holds meeting on outcomes of 9 months

The Ministry of Communications and High Technologies (MCHT) held a meeting on the outcomes of 9 months of current year. The meeting was attended by Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade, deputy ministers, advisers, heads of departments, heads of subordinate bodies and enterprises. Online video conference communication was also organized with a number of structures.

Addressing the meeting with an opening speech, Minister of Communications and High Technologies Minister Ramin Guluzade spoke about the challenges ahead and prospects arising from the keynote speech of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the socio-economic development of the 9 months of 2016, noted that more tasks and responsibilities assigned to ICT as it is a leading area of non-oil sector.

Speaking about the work carried out in the communications sector and high technologies on the background of the ongoing successful economic reforms in the country, the Minister also spoke about main priorities for further strengthening progress and ensuring sustainable development of the sphere. He also stressed the importance of implementation of relevant decrees, orders, and government programs related to MCHT.

Following this, a report on the work done and results in the field of communications and high technologies sector over the past 9 months was heard at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, First Deputy Minister Ali Abdullayev said that steady efforts were made during the past 9 months of the current year in order to ensure the productivity of the ministry’s activities, as well as subordinate bodies and enterprises, improving infrastructure, performing obligations, strengthening financial discipline, increasing volume of revenues and improving the social protection of employees.

As a result of measures taken, revenues in the sphere of communication and information have increased by 5.5% compared to the corresponding period of last year and reached AZN1,2 bn, while the share of revenues in gross domestic product (GDP) was 1.9%, and non-oil sector - 3.7%.

The First Deputy Minister said as a result of reforms implemented, the Ministry has already begun the process of creating "network" centers whose aim is to provide ministry’s all services from one-stop shop. According to him, this will create ample opportunities for easily use of public telecommunication services, Internet, email, and other communication services.

Then, the meeting was addressed by heads of several associations and enterprises of the MCHT, discussions were held on current issues requiring solution.

Moreover, heads of AzInTelecom LLC, Baku Telephone Communications Production Association, Aztelecom LLC, Azerpost LLC, Data Processing Center, and Azercosmos OJSC made presentations on the activities of their enterprises, work done, and future plans.

In conclusion, Minister Ramin Guluzade stressed the importance of taking all necessary measures for the successful implementation of socio-economic policy determined by the head of state in the field of ICT. Stressing the important trends for the organization of productive activities of the Ministry, Ramin Guluzade put forward demands before structures and enterprises to continue measures and start the implementation of new projects for the development of the sector. The Minister also gave instructions to the heads of associations and enterprises to eliminate shortcomings in their activities before the end of this year.