INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: DIFFUSION AND APPLICATION OF ICT
Chapter 2
2.3. Perspectives of Information Technologies Development
2.3.3. E-Business
The National Development Strategy is being developed and will focus on improving e-governance, e-competency of enterprises and availability of infrastructure for conducting of e-business and e-commerce.
Existing Websites of local and international private organizations operating in Azerbaijan represent consulting firms, IT companies, banks, insurance companies, transportation companies, mobile telecom operators and ISPs.
Websites usually provide general information on the organization and services provided, photos of products offered, contact information, and on-line consultancy for the clients. The Websites of banks provide information about recent financial news and information, services provided, various applications on loans and credits, which can be printed out and completed in advance. At this time, banks still do not offer their clients home banking via Internet.
A center for the authorization of electronic credit cards, Visa and MasterCard has been established by Azericard Processing Center and will be fully implemented.
Many banks of Azerbaijan Republic already are members of the international system Europay International and offer the following cards: Visa, MasterCard Gold, MasterCard Standard, Cirrus/Maestro, and Virtual Card.
The International Bank of Azerbaijan has introduced the Internet Card that allows purchasing goods and services online. It was obvious that businesses constitute the main driving force for e-commerce development as they realized e-shop benefits and were very enthusiastic about using them.
An electronic system of inter-bank payments in real time is being implemented in the banking system of Azerbaijan. A few Web sites represented sales dealers of various manufacturing products.
There are Web sites such as AzerbaijanEmarketplace.com or Azerbaijan Electronics (AZEL.net) which provide their valuable resources for those who want to expand their business in the Middle East, CIS countries, Africa and the Indian subcontinent, buying or selling from outside or within the region.
Various industries are presented at BAZAR-az.com. This site provides information about producers of goods, as well as the description and prices of goods. Moreover, it contains information on product delivery and transportation. It is possible to sell and buy as diverse a range of products as cars, paper, oil and corn via this site.
The National Bank of Azerbaijan has implemented Azerbaijan Interbank SWIFT Payment System since 2001. The system consists of three main components:
- CAS - Central Accounting System (conducts payment functions);
- SWIFT System of World Interbank Financial Telecommunication that secures usage of real time payment system;
- CIM - Central Interface Module (secures connection between CAS and SWIFT).
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