On December 4, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva viewed Bakutel 2018, the 24th Azerbaijan International Telecommunications, Innovations and High Technologies Exhibition and Conference at the Baku Expo Center.
Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade informed President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva of the exhibition.
It was noted that 230 companies from 20 countries are participating in this exhibition. 10 countries – the USA, Turkey, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, France, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Iran, and Slovenia are represented by national pavilions at the exhibition, which is held with the support of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the National Confederation of the Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic (AEC).
President Ilham Aliyev was informed about the products and services of the ministry’s structures and organizations and the projects implemented by them.
The purpose of the "Robopark" project implemented with the support of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies is to create opportunities for expanding modern scientific and technical knowledge of schoolchildren, developing their intellectual scientific and technical creativity, increasing interest in the field of high technologies, as well as obtaining information about basics of robotics. Within the framework of the project, the Ministry jointly with the United Nations Development Programme, created the Robopark Robotics Laboratory in High School No. 23.
The implementation of the project "From Idea to Business" was launched by the Ministry in April this year. The project was supported by the Regional Development Public Association of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Youth Foundation of Azerbaijan, the United Nations Development Programme, Microsoft, and Azercell. More than 2 thousand people took part in a startup tour, conducted over a period of seven months in selected cities and regions of the republic. In total, 15 of the selected 75 teams gained the right to participate in the final.
Projects that have received a grant from the State Fund for Development of Information Technologies under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies are considered commercializable projects. The Fund has allocated a grant to 117 projects on 6 competitions for this purpose. 20 of the projects have been commercialized, and continue to operate in the market.
Baku Telephone Communications LLC - Baktelecom and Aztelecom are represented at the exhibition by a joint stand. Baktelecom continues the project "Optics to Home" with GPON technology. This year, the infrastructure has been created at 40 thousand apartments through this technology. Since the beginning of this year, LTE technology has been used in Baku and the regions in areas with limited communication infrastructure. Aztelecom initially launched the use of wireless services in the villages of Khachmaz. This year Aztelecom has also launched a project to reconstruct the backbone network according to up-to-date standards.
As a result of the cooperation of the first regional Data Center of Azerbaijan with Microsoft Corporation, the licensed operating system for the virtual environment is offered to customers on the most favorable terms. In order to create a backup database of data stored here and international voice traffic, the construction of Yevlakh Backup Data Center, which is scheduled to be commissioned in the second quarter of next year, is underway. Work was also launched on the project of the State Data Center.
Next year, the Data Processing Center (DPC) for the first time in Azerbaijan will begin issuing security certificates necessary for exchanging encrypted information between the user and the web page server. Thus far, both state and private websites have obtained this certificate from abroad. In the future, the export of these certificates is also possible. Local experts have developed a software called AzDoc in accordance with the Made in Azerbaijan brand, which allows for providing electronic document flow in institutions and organizations. The software, which complies with the Law "On Electronic Signature and Electronic Document" and workflow management instructions, is currently used within the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies. And in the future, all state-run organizations will be able to work with this program. It is also possible to sign documents in the program with electronic signature.
This year, the State Administration of Radio Frequencies exhibits modern radio monitoring, a comparative analysis of mobile communication services and other similar systems and technologies to create conditions for the use of the latest information and communication technologies in the country. The exhibition presents systems incorporating the principles of control over the work and quality of such technologies as 5G - the fifth generation of mobile communications, artificial intelligence.
The State Road Transport Service is an executive body that carries out state regulation in the field of road transport, state control over the provision of the needs of the population and the economy in transportation by road and other transport services. This service, established by the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev, signed in 2008, takes measures in the field of passenger and cargo transportation by road, monitors compliance of international standards and rules, as well as regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Azerbaijan by road transport entities carrying passengers and cargo in the country and abroad.
Then the Head of State and his spouse stamped on the postage stamps dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of modern post and telecommunications in Azerbaijan, as well as the architecture of Azerbaijan.
At the exhibition, Azerpost LLC also presented a prototype of a fully automated post office operating around the clock without intervals, where the most requested services are provided. For two years now, Shebeke service centers equipped with innovative and technological innovations have been created. The next - the 9th "Shebeke" center is planned to be put into operation at the International Bus Terminal.
Then President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to the Russian federal state TV channel Russia 24.
Correspondent: Mr. President, thank you for the interview. We are very happy to be in Azerbaijan. Let me continue the conversation with you in Russian.
President Ilham Aliyev: Possible, please. You speak great Azerbaijani.
- "First, I wanted to ask, because it’s not the first time that I’m in Azerbaijan, it’s very nice to see that in Baku everything is changing all the time. You are developing, not staying in one place. Please tell us, what innovations have you been developing lately, especially in Azerbaijan. I know that you are not only developing the oil sector, but also want to focus on the non-oil sector. What would you like to develop here?
- Absolutely correct. This is our main task, which we successfully solve the development of the non-oil sector so that Azerbaijan’s economy will develop steadily, regardless of the global situation in oil prices. Therefore, in this regard, a lot is being done, in terms of the development of infrastructure projects, in order to create good conditions for business. We have a lot of projects related to business promotion, assisting entrepreneurs. In general, the investment and business climate in Azerbaijan is improving. The latest data of the World Bank, according to the report "Doing Business", Azerbaijan is in 25th place. Over the year we have advanced by 32 steps, and today – we are among the leading countries on the possibility of doing business. Therefore, of course, the sphere that is represented here is very important from the point of view of business, innovations, and education. This is an area that is one of our priorities, and it is no coincidence that we have been holding the 24th year of such an exhibition. The number of participating companies is growing from year to year. I was told that this year they are 230 and a lot of local. More than half are Azerbaijani companies. This suggests that we are ready to work in this direction in order to develop the country and create new jobs, because the oil sector does not create jobs.
- And it is not everlasting.
- Yes of course. Therefore, we need to constantly strive to create jobs that correspond to the level of economic development. Taking into account the demographic growth in Azerbaijan, we must strive to ensure that every citizen born in the country is provided with work in 20-30 years.
- Tell me about tourism sphere. You want to develop tourism too? As far as I know most of the tourists come from Russia. Is it true?
- Yes, in the first place are tourists from Russia. This year, but the year is not over yet, there are more than 800 thousand Russians. Russians steadily hold the first place in this sphere. And we have seen growth in tourism over the past 2 years: in 2016 - by 22 percent, in 2017 - by 20 percent, this year we still do not know, but there will also be growth. Tourists are attracted, first of all, by the conditions in which they feel themselves here. As for the Russians, I think they feel at home. There is no language barrier here, a very good attitude towards them, our common history also plays an important role.
- Very tasty food…
- Yes, quite right. Of course, the level of security, comfort, hospitality of the Azerbaijani people, historical monuments, climate. That is, I can say a lot, why tourists should come to Azerbaijan. I think that the Russians will hear me. I am pleased to invite them to visit our country. We are always very happy to see them here.
- Thank you very much for the interview!
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Company "Nafantano" also takes part in the exhibition. It has been operating for 3 years. "Nafantano" is Azerbaijani company, which carries out online sales. The company manufactures unusual toy animals.
In digital surgery, special navigation devices are used during operations requiring high accuracy. Augmented reality glasses based on the latest achievements of digital computer technologies are used in the research of a group of scientists and specialists in Azerbaijan Medical University. When using augmented reality glasses, a computer program, along with a real review, allows the surgeon to identify anatomical structures that are invisible to the eye.
The Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses under the Ministry of Economy is also represented at the exhibition. The Agency represents an online system for handling complaints related to protecting the rights of small and medium-sized businesses. The Entrepreneurship Support System, created with the support of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, is an online platform for the consideration of applications related to the rights of entrepreneurs, and their prompt resolution. The purpose is enhancing efficiency and increasing flexibility in the application of improved mechanisms to protect the rights of entrepreneurs.
The Bakutel exhibition also creates broad conditions for young designers to inform about their inventions and programs. It is gratifying that this year the exhibition presents a record number - over 50 startups of various innovation centers. Startups offer their bright innovative ideas for tourism, ecology, healthcare and finance sectors. The main products are virtual and augmented reality technologies, websites and mobile apps.
In the Belarus pavilion, companies of this country present their innovative products. The exhibition is attended by the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus, Beltelecom, Belpochta, Giprosvyaz, the National Electronic Services Center, the National Traffic Exchange Center, Promsvyaz, the Research Institute for Information Security, Software Applied Systems Institute, Beloruss National Telecommunications Institute and company Newland.
Brotherly Turkey is widely represented at this exhibition as it was in previous years. During the acquaintance with the Turkish pavilion, information was provided that the Ptt Turkish Post, Turk Telecom International, Turkcell, Turksat and Havelsan companies present modern innovative products. These companies specialize mainly in the services of an artificial satellite, digital commerce, mobile operator services and are distinguished in the world by advanced ICT services.
Iran is also among the exhibitors at Bakutel. Telecommunications Infrastructure Company, Iranian Space Agency, Saymantech Ltd, Nasim Telecom, Samim Group, Faraz, Harita and other companies are represented in the Iranian booth. In general, Iran is represented at the exhibition by 25 companies. Visitors are mainly offered Internet services, electronic devices, and smart city projects.
The USA is also represented at the Bakutel 2018. At the United States stand along with the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan, companies American International Radio, Inc. Air, Avirtel, Parallel Wireless, Seabak and Transition Networks present their products.
In the Italian pavilion, products are represented by the Italian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, the companies GAP İtaliya, DBA Group and GEM Elettronica. A number of advanced technologies, such as cybernetics, electronics, and digital archives are among the products presented.
During the acquaintance with the pavilion of France, it was reported that along with the Azerbaijan-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, companies Linagora, Schneider Electric and Thales are represented at the exhibition. These companies also demonstrate their innovative products.
The United Arab Emirates is also represented at the exhibition. Products of companies PROW and Xerrow Technologies are met with interest.
The Internet company Sazz, which provides mobile broadband services based on 4G technology, presents the latest technical achievements at the exhibition. The company is preparing to use 5G technologies in our republic in the near future. Staying true to the innovative traditions, the company also demonstrates the latest mobile Internet technology TDD-LTE. This service combines 3 areas - wireless television, cordless telephony and security cameras.
Established in 1995, BestComp Group is one of the leaders in the ICT sector of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the provision of system integration services, data center solutions, design solutions, software, distribution, and other IT services. The company implements important projects in private sector.
Today, a transport hub is being built at the auxiliary area of Baku International Bus Terminal Complex with the view to ensure safer and more convenient movement of buses, cars, taxis, as well as passengers and tourists. The pilot project "Smart City", prepared by Baku International Bus Terminal Complex and Cisco, provides for improving the quality of transport services and reducing costs through managing local and international transportation, including high-level security. "Smart vests", presented by Baku International Bus Station together with SAP, inform about the health of drivers, and also immediately notify them online about possible problems in the bus.
During acquaintance with the stand of the Azerbaijan State Advertising Agency, it was reported that this structure carries out unified regulation and control in the field of placing advertising media in an open space, preparing and distributing advertisements on them. Agency’s numerous services are presented at the stand, including a portal for electronic registration of advertising media in open space, a remote measurement device and software for advertising media in open space, a device for monitoring and analyzing advertising medium in open space and its software.
At the exhibition, Azercosmos OJSC provides information on our satellite projects. The stand presents infographics reflecting the achievements of the Azerspace-1 satellite, the content of a promising project to provide 600 schools in remote villages of Azerbaijan Republic with satellite Internet through the capacity of the Azerspace-2 satellite, and information on the "Monitoring Projects of the Forests of Azerbaijan Republic" and "Cartography and Vegetation Productivity Forecasting" implemented in 2018 through images obtained by the Azersky satellite.
Company Huawei also presents its products at the exhibition. The company, which is a global manufacturer of ICT solutions, continuously works in the field of innovative developments in accordance with the requirements of customers, creates new opportunities for cooperation with partners in the field of telecommunications, corporate networks, subscriber devices and cloud computing.
Microsoft Corporation has also been actively participating in the exhibition for many years. Established in 1975, it is the world leader in software manufacturing. The corporation develops and manufactures a wide range of software products. In general, a company, which has been operating in our country since 2005, demonstrates the most advanced solutions related to IT technologies.
Bakutel is a unique platform not only to showcase and discuss technologies in the digital sphere, but also to present high-tech entertainment products. This year the project of the digital museum of 3D Production was carried out here.
There is a computer game "Height", the national fairy-tale characters from the virtual fairy tale "Wind" in the gaming zone. There is also a show of 3D printers and drones that will print the sights of Azerbaijan. The national brand of Azerbaijan - the Azerbaijan Academy of Robotics Engineering presented the project "I am Pilot" for the out-of-school development of the scientific and creative potential of students.
Then President Ilham Aliyev met with the famous French footballer Robert Pires. Robert Pires became a world champion in 1998, and a European champion - in 2000. Robert Pires, one of the leaders of the Arsenal team, is also the winner of the FA Cup and the champion of this country. According to the 2000 FIFA rating, he was recognized as one of the 100 best footballers in the world. He is also the ambassador of the Euroleague Final, which will be held in Baku next year.
It should be noted that the exhibition features the first RoboKeeper, which is an invention of German scientists based on cutting-edge technology. It is considered the fastest goalkeeper in the world. Even many world famous football stars cannot beat this goalkeeper. Robert Pires presented the official ball of the Euroleague to President Ilham Aliyev.
The exhibition also presents a museum dedicated to the 200th anniversary of postal telecommunication in Azerbaijan.
