Azerbaijan prepares draft program on Information Society

/AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan's Communications and High Technologies Ministry has prepared a draft program on the development of Information Society in 2014-2017, the ministry reported.

Other government agencies played a key role in the draft program preparations. The program has also set the funding required for its implementation.

The issue of financing of the state programs is already under consideration by the Finance Ministry.

The new state program is part of the "National Strategy for Information Society Development in Azerbaijan for 2014-2020" approved by the head of state on April 2.

The strategy deals with significant aspects such as construction of the information society, effective use of its advantages by society for development of Azerbaijan, and use of ICT in public administration.

The new program is designed to resolve the problem of "digital divide" between the center and the regions of Azerbaijan. To overcome the "division", some projects would be launched aimed to develop broadband infrastructure and satellite systems.

The greatest importance in the national strategy is attached to strengthening competitiveness and export of products in the field of ICT. Moreover, the development of high technologies including aerospace, nuclear and nanotechnology, biotechnology, electronics are also highlighted.

The previous ICT strategy in 2003-2012 had set the main purposes of the relevant agencies, including transition to the information society. To this end, a multitude of state programs and laws, including the state program "Electronic Azerbaijan" had been adopted over the past period.