AMERICAN IT COMPANIES BULLISH ON OPPORTUNITIES IN

UNCLAS SETION 02 OF 02 BAKU 001501 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EB/CIP DEPT PASS TO TDA FOR STEIN ANKARA FOR FCS COMMERCE FOR 4231 ITA/MAC/ORUE FOR DSTARKS COMMERCE FOR 3004 ITA/FCS/ ADVOCACY FOR ACHAMS-EDDINE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD ECPS AJ SUBJECT: AMERICAN IT COMPANIES BULLISH ON OPPORTUNITIES IN AZERBAIJAN ¶6. (SBU) Despite a disappointing BakuTel, which Oracle and Cisco said resembled a job fair rather than an industry conference, the representatives were optimistic about the future of Azerbaijan's Information and Communications Technology sector and their ability to do business here. Cisco and 3M pointed out that with business growing so fast in both Azerbaijan and Georgia, they might establish independent representative offices in the latter soon. The companies supported the idea of conducting quarterly meetings to share insights and support each other. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) We agree with these companies that Azerbaijan, with its fast-growing economy and ambitious IT plans, presents good opportunities for U.S. IT companies. We continue to work with the GOAJ to encourage improvements to the business climate, which are key to attracting further foreign investment. We believe the February Economic Partnership Commission meeting will be a good opportunity to showcase IT investment opportunities in Azerbaijan and will encourage the GOAJ to include MCIT officials in its EPC delegation. DERSE