Azerbaijani IF chief on ways of attracting IT professionals from Ukraine, Russia

Currently, in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, the fates of almost 1 million information technology (IT) professionals, who currently want to emigrate, remain uncertain, the president of the Azerbaijani Internet Forum, Osman Gunduz, said in a comment to Report on the possible impact of the hostilities in Ukraine on the IT sector of Azerbaijan.

According to Gunduz, Azerbaijan currently has a shortage of IT specialists.

“According to the data, 250,000 specialists work in Ukraine, about 500,000 in Russia, and more than 70,000 in Belarus. Now they are looking for ways to migrate. Since the US and Europe are closed to them, they can move to Asia, Dubai, the CIS countries, including Azerbaijan. The activities of a million specialists in several neighboring countries could pose a potential danger to us. Imagine that they build a business in these countries and in a few years earn millions from it. A lot of money will flow into these markets. We must bring them to Azerbaijan. It would be good if the government provided them with various benefits. In addition, a quota must be determined, how many people we need.

“I believe that we can increase our IT export by creating conditions for them to work in our companies. At present, the export of IT products from Azerbaijan is $5-10 million, Ukraine - 7 billion, Belarus - 4 billion, Russia - 1-2 billion dollars.”

In his opinion, Azerbaijan is experiencing a shortage of experts, and IT products are very expensive.

“For example, a product worth 500 manats in Ukraine costs about 100 manats at the exchange rate. Such a price develops in a competitive environment. But we, unfortunately, do not have it.”

The expert believes that global companies that left these countries should also be invited to Azerbaijan. "Russia was the main center of global companies operating in the CIS space. At the moment, the situation with this issue is chaotic. Turkey is already inviting these companies. I think wherever these companies go, there will be created an IT hub there.

“To attract them, Azerbaijan must create an appropriate environment, give guarantees. Without them, these companies will not enter the market. First, a Competition Code must be adopted, a law on investments and venture funds drafted. How can Azerbaijan be turned into a hub without a legislative framework?

“For example, due to the lack of a law on venture funds, an investor cannot know the conditions for investing funds. Although these legislative acts exist in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine. The government should take these issues seriously and quickly take practical steps to remedy the shortcomings.”