A focus-group discussion of experts on the topic “Opportunities for the Application of Blockchain Technologies in Azerbaijan” was held at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC). The discussions were attended by European Banking Federation adviser on financial markets policies and Head of the Blockchain Group Daniele De Gennaro, SWIFT Director for Accounts for the banking markets of Russia, the CIS, and Mongolia Pavel Prokudin, Senior Manager of the Information Risk Management Group at KPMG Russia Andrey Drozdov, and Chief Specialist for Information Risk Management at KPMG Azerbaijan Aqil Azimov.

The participants exchanged views on the potential of blockchain technologies, the activities of the Azexport portal, the Digital Trade Hub, and the EnterpriseAzerbaijan.com portal, as well as on new innovative applications. Information was provided about a newly launched mobile application supported by Azexport. The head of the portal, Zaur Gardashov, noted that the mobile application enables users to obtain information on product characteristics and manufacturers registered in the databases of GS1 Azerbaijan and the Azexport portal. In foreign markets, barcodes play an important role in ensuring product quality, managing supply chains, and implementing e-commerce.

The manager of the Digital Trade Hub, Nicat Asadli, delivered a presentation on the Single Online Export Application and the opportunities created by the portal.

Information on Azerbaijan’s investment projects bank was presented by Namig Shalbuzov.

The event also addressed topics that will be put up for discussion at the Azerbaijan Digital Trade Hub International Conference, which is held annually by CAERC.