The monitoring and evaluation results for the 2017 implementation of the Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Telecommunications and Information Technologies in the Republic of Azerbaijan have been made public. Nijat Asadli, manager of the Digital Trade Hub, noted that the implementation level demonstrates the positive impact of reforms under President Ilham Aliyev, ensuring sustainable development in the telecommunications sector. According to him, 47% of the planned 2017 measures were fully implemented, 28% partially implemented, and 25% not implemented.

Nijat Asadli also added that the first goal of the roadmap — Improving Governance Structures and Strengthening ICT — achieved 6% full implementation and 56% partial implementation. Measures included the establishment of a regulatory authority for the telecommunications sector, liberalization of the telecom market, and investment in mobile infrastructure. Studies were conducted on successful international experiences and their applicability in Azerbaijan. Implementation of the TASIM project continued.

The second goal — Increasing Productivity and Operational Efficiency of Entrepreneurial Entities — achieved 71% full implementation, 17% partial, and 12% not implemented. International consultants were engaged to analyze fundamental factors driving high cash usage in the economy, reduce cash circulation, and promote digital payments. Programs were developed to expand digital payments, including a national digital payment strategy, mGov concept in eGov 2.0, and the creation of a Government Cloud (G-Cloud). For digital education, a program to enhance ICT infrastructure in schools was presented, with 50 schools included in the Electronic School project. Activities included teacher training, ICT infrastructure development, implementation of the Electronic School Management Program, Parent Control System, and digital educational resources. ICT academies at Baku Engineering University and Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University were also initiated to assess students’ ICT skills.

The third goal — Digitalization of Government and Social Environment — reached 17% full implementation, 17% partial, and 66% of measures were not implemented.

Implementation rates by key institutions in 2017 were: Central Bank of Azerbaijan 100%, State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations 75%, Ministry of Education 68%, Ministry of Economy 65%, Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies 52%, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 50%, and Ministry of Health 33%.