On December 3, the opening ceremony of the 25th Anniversary International Exhibition of Telecommunications, Innovation and High Technologies “Bakutel 2019” took place at the Baku Expo Center.

Firstly, a video message of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was presented to the exhibitors.

Later, Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade noted that this year"s event marks the 25th anniversary of the successful activity of the event. "The traditional exhibition, which has become one of the most important events in the region in the field of ICT, plays a role in providing a platform for the presentation of advanced technological achievements and innovations, the establishment of business contacts and the exchange of experience," the minister said. Guluzade said that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev large-scale economic and structural reforms are being carried out in our country. In the “Doing Business 2019” report released by the World Bank, Azerbaijan is included in the list of 20 most reformist countries in the world and has been declared the most reforming country. At present, the use of information technology and innovation in management is expanding in our country.

Noting that structural reforms are adapted to new economic development goals, the Minister said that a new innovation ecosystem has been created in the country. This concept opens up wide opportunities for the application of cloud technologies in public administration and other areas of our country. R.Guluzade expressed confidence that the “Bakutel 2019” Anniversary Exhibition will serve as an annual basis for business contacts, exchange of experience and expansion of cooperation. The exhibition is not only the largest event in the Caspian region in the field of innovation and high technology, but also a unique venue for business contacts.

Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Haulin Jao highly appreciated the activities of the Anniversary Exhibition and the ICT reforms implemented in Azerbaijan in recent years.

Products of Azerbaijani startups, presented at the exhibition, were met with interest. After the symbolic ribbon cutting, participants and visitors became acquainted with the pavilions of the exhibition.

It is noteworthy that 238 companies from 23 countries are taking part in the anniversary exhibition. National teams of leading IT companies with the support of Chambers and Embassies of the United States, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, France, Iran, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia and other countries are represented at the exhibition. Eleven countries participated in the event with a national pavilion. The number of debutants is 30% of the total number of exhibitors. The stands offer "smart" solutions for both business and daily life.

Bakutel"s business program includes modern platforms for communication, dialogue and search for effective solutions: Innovation Zone and Presentation Zone. Various interesting events were held in these dynamic zones. The “I2B Village” booth is jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, the Regional Development Public Association of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Youth Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, United Nations Development Program, Innovation Agency, Azercell and Microsoft. Winners and participants of the final of the project “I2B from Idea to Business” presented their interactive projects in that booth.

It should be noted that at the exhibition, students of the Faculty of Engineering from Sumgayit State University Tayfun Hajili and Seymur Talibov were given certificates for the project “Part of Me”.