CBA set directions non-cash payments up to 2017

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has completed preparation of the project of state program on development of the country's non-cash payments in 2012-2016, head of Payment Systems of the CBA Kamala Gurbanova said on Thursday at "Azerbaijan's tax system: realities and prospects" forum.

"The CBA elaborated a new state program for 5 years aimed at expanding coverage of electronic services," Ms Gurbanova said.

She said the main directions of the program is expansion of the infrastructure for electronic payments, strengthening institutional capacity, increase in efficiency, educating people, more active involvement of the population and economic entities to the use of these services.

"Today, the country has opportunities to expand the coverage of non-cash payments in such areas as payment of taxes and state fees through the Internet, as part of the implementation by state agencies of projects under the program "Electronic government", broadening the range of electronic services offered by banks, the number of POS-terminals, services, offered by the postal operator in the regions and rural areas," Ms Gurbanova said.

So far, measures to promote non-cash payments were carried out in the country on the basis of the State Program of development of the national payment system in 2005-07, under which the national payment systems for small payments of the CBA (HONKS), and large payments (AZIPS) was established. A Center for utility payments which provides an opportunity to transfer on-line funds and receive statements, as well as eliminating abuse of bank branches, was established through HONKS.

Second processing center - LLC "Millikart" was established under the CBA which was later transferred to the management of 18 commercial banks. At present, Azerbaijan has five processing centers.


/Trend/