14TH INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES EXHIBITION

Baku, 11 November,(AzerTAj)The 14th International Telecommunication and Information
Technologies Exhibition Bakutel-2008 organized by the British Exhibition company ITE
Group PLC and its partner in Azerbaijan Iteca Caspian LLC opened at the Heydar
Aliyev Sport-Concert Complex in Baku on November 11.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony and viewed the
exhibition`s pavilions.
The Head of State was informed that the exhibition had brought together over 100
companies from 21 and officials from 15 countries. Forty percent of the companies
are local, while geography of foreign companies covers USA, France, Germany, Turkey,
Israel, Russia, China and other countries.
Organizational support for the Exhibition has been provided by the Ministry of
Communication and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
International Telecommunication Union, Global Alliance for ICT and Development,
Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications, and Azerbaijan Export and
Investment Promotion Foundation.
The exhibition`s sections include: telecommunications and networks; IT & office
technologies; cable and wireless; satellite communication and technologies;
broadcasting and professional equipment; banking technologies and services; security
systems; broadband communication and technologies; software and automation systems;
e-government and e-learning.
This year`s exhibition is characterized by increased interest in satellite
communications. Today, space industry in Azerbaijan is on the early stage of
formation. Azerbaijan`s plan to launch its own satellite into orbit encourages a
large-scale application of high technologies in the country.
ICT is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of Azerbaijan`s economy.
According to the Davos Economic Forum`s Global Technology Report, Azerbaijan ranked
first in CIS, and 67th among 127 world countries in this field. Implementation of
the State Program on Development of Communications and Information Technologies in
2005-2008 serves formation of an information society and the country’s progress in
general.
A meeting of regional ministers is also expected on the sidelines of the exhibition.
Organized by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies
and entitled “Transnational Eurasia High-Speed Information Highway”, it will focus
on the possibilities of building a high-speed information highway to increase
competitiveness of the countries of the region in the field of internet
technologies.
The President viewed pavilions of Aztelekom and Baku Telefon Rabite companies
specializing in providing high-level communications and internet services.
In the last five years ICT revenues in Azerbaijan have seen a 30-35 percent increase
exceeding the world average indicator threefold. ICT services are today available
throughout Azerbaijan, including the most remote regions. Over the mentioned period,
communication services have seen a 3-fold while Internet services a 12-fold increase
in Azerbaijan. The number of internet users in the country has exceeded 1.5 million.
The President viewed the pavilion of Azercell Telecom Ltd. He was informed about 3G
– a new generation of mobile communication technologies.
President Ilham Aliyev then proceeded to Microsoft`s pavilion, where he was shown an
Azerbaijani version of Windows XP. The Head of State was informed that Microsoft is
working on a number of projects in collaboration with the country`s ministry of
communication and information technologies and the ministry of education.
President Ilham Aliyev also viewed the pavilions of Delta telecom Ltd, Bakcell,
R.I.S.K, Nar Mobile and Ultra.
He posed for photographs together with US Ambassador Anne Derse, Turkish Ambassador
Hulusi Kilic and organizers of the event.
The Head of State was presented with a notebook computer made by local company Sinam.
President Ilham Aliyev chatted with prominent Azerbaijani mathematician, professor
at the University of California, Berkeley, Lutfi Zade.
Afterwards, foreign officials participating in the event were introduced to the
President.
The Head of State said such events greatly contribute to developing the country`s
non-oil sector.
The exhibition will continue on November 14.
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