Azerbaijan has potential to build digital economy, says business expert

Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) Orkhan Mammadov has said that Azerbaijan faces such tasks as responding to the challenges of the time and achieving new goals in economic development due to the ongoing processes in the world.

Mammadov made these remarks at the Critical Infrastructure Defence Challenge 2023 event in Baku, Trend reports.

He noted that in the current situation, Azerbaijan has all the capabilities to digitalise the economy, build a digital economy and sustainable development.

“Digitalisation of the economy, building a digital economy and introduction of innovations are the priorities for Azerbaijan, as for the countries with a rapid level of development. Azerbaijan’s unique geographical location, its natural resources, valuable human resources, as well as state programmes, orders and decrees adopted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently, fully contribute to this,” Mammadov said.

“Existence in a virtual world as a result of digitisation requires our data protection. Individuals and businesses are trying to protect themselves from internal and external cyber-attacks by taking advantage of the benefits brought by technology. However, cybersecurity experts are required to protect against these attacks and ensure data security,” the chairman said.

Mammadov noted that educated, competent personnel are one of the factors that directly influence the development of the business environment.

SMBDA is interested in strengthening the human resources potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in acquiring knowledge and skills that meet modern requirements, and in training young people in accordance with the labour market, he said.

“The employees working in information, communications technologies and cybersecurity must understand basic information security principles, choose strong passwords, pay attention to email and attachments they send and receive, and ensure that data is backed up securely on other sites,” the chairman said.

Mammadov added that SMBDA may deliver startup certificates to entrepreneurs working in the field of innovations, including information, communication technologies and cybersecurity. According to the Tax Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, micro and small businesses that have received a startup certificate are exempt from profit tax and income tax on their income from innovation activity for three years from the date of getting the certificate.

“The entrepreneurs working in this field can also participate in grant competitions held by KOBIA to finance educational, scientific, research and support projects. Announcements about competitions and information about their results are regularly posted on KOBIA’s official website, the public is informed about this through the media. I would like to note that the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organisations Association is also represented in the Public Council under SMBDA,” the chairman said.

“SMBDA is interested in the digitisation of SMEs in Azerbaijan, in training professional specialists in the field of information, communication technologies and cybersecurity, as well as in increasing the number of training and education centres in this field. I would like to once again express my readiness to render support within our competence in this sphere,” he added.

The Critical Infrastructure Defence Challenge 2023 (CIDC-2023) event is being held at the Baku Convention Centre on October 26, jointly organised by the State Service of Special Communication and Information Security and the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.