Will Azerbaijan receive startup millionaires?

Azerbaijan has not developed a business section on the Internet and the network is of little use for businesses. In this regard, Azerbaijan Internet Forum is implementing the project "Startup Azerbaijan."

The purpose of the project is to promote entrepreneurship on the Internet, attracting investor funds, and the empowerment of companies doing business in this area. This was said at a press conference today by the head of the Azerbaijan Internet Forum (AIF) and the Center Multimedia, Osman Gunduz.

"Abroad, even in neighboring Russia, the Internet has evolved into a dynamic business area. There are already millionaires and billionaires. We have almost the same, but this sphere is hardly ever used," he said.

The project, which started in February, includes trainings for companies engaged in business on the Internet, meetings with investors and informing them about the possibilities of project implementation of on the Internet.

In the near future it is also expected to hold a trilateral meeting with the participation of government officials, investors and start-ups. As a result of the project it is expected to hold national forums for startups in late June.

In addition, in the course of the contest, there will be 5-6 best business projects selected for startups, financed by investors.

At present, the Internet infrastructure, especially in rural areas, has not been well developed.

In the next three years, the government will invest about 500 million dollars in the Internet, which also opens up opportunities for startups.

“Startup Azerbaijan” is supported by the development of ICT in the Ministry of Communications, the companies Bakcell, Microsoft and Infi-pro.

As one example of a successful business "startup", Gunduz called the company hesab.az exerting an On-line service to pay utility costs.

Positively assessing the state measures for the development of the Internet, the expert criticized the President’s approval to the amendments to the Criminal Code, spreading criminal penalties for libel and insults on the Internet.

These amendments are open to abuse by officials and to restriction of the freedom of expression, said Gunduz. -06C-