OFFICIAL NEWS
14TH INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES EXHIBITION BAKUTEL-2008 OPENS IN BAKU
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV ATTENDS OPENING CEREMONY
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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