2024-10-02 12:59:22
A presentation of a platform created to support the digitalization of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) took place in Baku.
As Day.Az reports with reference to Trend, the event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Samir MamedovChairman of the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Businesses (COBI) Orkhan MammadovChairman of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development (I WOULD GO) Inara Velieva and others.
It should be noted that the purpose of creating the platform is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the process of their digital transformation, study their needs, as well as identify the difficulties that entrepreneurs face in the implementation of digital technologies, and find solutions to overcome these obstacles.
Samir Mamedov noted that a number of initiatives are envisaged in Azerbaijan to improve the skills of small and medium-sized enterprises.
“A number of initiatives are provided to improve the skills of SMEs, including the CTO-as-a-Service Voucher program, which provides consulting services on the development of IT strategies and the implementation of new solutions. It should be noted that the ongoing legislative initiatives in the field of digitalization have provided favorable conditions for rapid transformations. In particular, the introduction of the “mygov” system allows for the presentation of personal documents and data in digital form, which simplifies access to government services and reduces the number of paper media. The “Online Azerbaijan” project, launched by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, is aimed at ensuring access. broadband internet to 2.9 million households across the country, with plans to connect all homes and businesses to a high-speed network by the end of 2024,” he said.
Mammadov also stated that the full implementation of all stages of the program for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses in Azerbaijan is expected by the beginning of 2025.
“The central element of the program is the Digital Maturity Index, which allows companies to assess their level of digitalization and determine further steps for development. Special seminars and workshops are planned for enterprises with a low level of digital maturity, and individual seminars are provided for companies with a higher level digital transformation strategies. The introduction of cloud and other solutions, financial support and access to special grants will be important factors in increasing business efficiency. The program, which provides for the active participation of local suppliers, will also be an important incentive for the development of the ecosystem in the country. Full implementation of all stages of the program is expected to begin. 2025. Digitalization of SMEs is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of the country’s economy, creating new jobs and promoting economic growth,” he said.
The head of the SME digitalization program, Elturan Ahmedbeyli, is currently in the third stage of the digitalization program for small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan.
“The program includes four stages of implementation. Currently, the program is in the third stage. According to the project manager, the program includes the following stages: market research, studying global experience and analyzing local SMEs, holding meetings with suppliers, as well as implementing projects included in the program In the second stage, entitled “Preparing the program concept”, the emphasis was placed on three main areas: the formation of a digital competency index (RYI), the creation of a platform for assessing the RYI and the establishment of contacts with suppliers. The third stage of the program, aimed at preparing for implementation, involves. a number of important steps: the creation of a supplier selection committee, the development of financial mechanisms, the creation of new digital products and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises to international markets,” he noted.
Ahmedbeyli mentioned that the full implementation of the program is planned for the first quarter of 2025.
Executive Director of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the IV Industrial Revolution (4SİM) under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan Fariz Jafarov said that by 2030, Azerbaijan plans to digitalize about 650 companies as part of the strategy for digitalization of enterprises.
“The digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will take their activities to a qualitatively new level and increase competitiveness. Cooperation between business, citizens and government agencies has already led to a number of significant successes in our country. As part of the digital economy development strategy, developed with the participation of 18 government institutions, by 2030 it is planned to digitalize about 650 companies,” he noted.
Jafarov mentioned that digitalization will become an important element in increasing productivity and sustainable business development.