Azerbaijan, Baku, March 2 / Trend H.Valiyev /
The UNESCO Baku Office is interested in the process of opening technology parks in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) IT Institute (ITI) reported.
UNESCO expert Malcolm Perry, who was visiting the country is to study a project to create technology parks in Azerbaijan, attended a meeting organized by the ITI.
Perry said technology park issues will be reflected in UNESCO records.
The establishment of a regional innovation zone (RIZ) in Azerbaijan was named a priority for IT industry development in the country. Ministry proposals to create the RIZ are being considered by the government. The proposals were prepared by Booz-Allen-Hamilton.
According to Gulmammadov, an important issue is to reduce, and in some cases, liquidate tax, social and customs duties. A positive solution to these issues will create suitable conditions for the import of goods to Azerbaijan, as well as conditions for attracting foreign investors to the country.
According to ministry forecasts, the project will result in the growth in revenues from projects at the RIZ by 2020 to $12 billion.
The RIZ envisages establishing technology parks for small and medium innovative businesses, creating a regional base for the production and export of electronic hardware and software, effectively turning the country into a transit information center, training and human resource development for the information society, introducing information technologies in different industries.