New ministry views digital transformation in Azerbaijan as key priority

By a decree of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the name of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies was changed for the 4th time since independence. From now on, the new structure will be called the Digital Development and Transport Ministry.

In addition, according to the presidential decree, four legal entities of public law will operate within the new ministry. They are the Digital Development and Innovation Agency, the Information and Communication Technologies Agency, the Land Transport Agency, and the Maritime and Port Transport Agency.

Report has asked the ministry for the goals behind these structural changes. The response says that the Digital Development and Innovation Agency will create conditions for further strengthening the startup ecosystem in the country. The new structure will promote innovative researches and development projects, including startups by funding them. The Agency will carry out a set of measures, scientific, scientific, and technical, innovative activities and relevant tests in the field of high technologies, nuclear science, nuclear technology, and nuclear energy.

- The Information and Communication Technologies Agency is also of particular importance for the development of the ICT system in the country. This agency will carry out certification, accounting, regulation, and control in the field of ICT and communications in Azerbaijan, including regulation of relationships between telecommunications operators, as well as regulate pricing, quality, and other issues.

- The Maritime and Port Transport Agency is a legal entity under public law, empowered to ensure safety at sea, as well as to take the necessary measures in the field of protecting the life and health of people at sea, protecting the marine environment, and training seafarers.

- The Azerbaijani Land Transport Agency will give impetus to the development of this sector. The structure is being created on the basis of the State Road Transport Service. Passenger transportation agencies subordinate to the relevant executive authorities in Sumgayit and Ganja will also function as part of the agency.

The ongoing reforms in the field of ICT require accelerating the digital transformation in the country. One of the factors contributing to the success in this area is the stable connection and high-speed Internet access in the country. The ministry plans to implement large-scale projects in the field of stable communications and high-speed Internet. The development of mobile and fixed broadband Internet presupposes an increase in the availability of Internet services, regulation of pricing, and quality policies.