On November 22, a meeting of the evaluation commission on the results of the Republican Innovation Competition, jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and the UN Delegation of Azerbaijan, was held.
The Innovation Competition organized with the aim of fulfilling the goals of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda, encouraging innovation, as well as supporting the implementation of the "Azerbaijan 2020: Vision of the Future" Development Concept and the "Strategic Roadmap for the production of consumer goods at the level of small and medium enterprises" is an innovation in our country. It is the first event held in this format in the field. About 220 projects covering economic, social and environmental fields were submitted to the competition through the "Idea Bank" of the Ministry of Economy and "ASAN service".
At the same time, let's note that cooperation with the Social Innovation Laboratory (SIL), which has experience in organizing innovation competitions and start-ups, was initiated by the United Nations Mission in Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Economy. Within the framework of cooperation, 2 intensive camps on 9 modules for 24 projects and pre-acceleration stage for selected ideas were organized with the support of SİL. At the same time, let's note that the winners of the Competition will receive 5000 manats for the 1st place, 3000 manats for the 2nd place and 2000 manats for the 3rd place.
In addition, the winner of the 1st place will be sent to represent our country in the international program "Istanbul Innovation Days 2018", which will be attended by leading investors and experts of the world.
Ms. Sevinc Hasanova, Deputy Minister of Economy, who opened the event with her opening speech, said that such events should be held to stimulate and increase the efficiency of the activities of innovation subjects, to create the necessary conditions for the development of small and medium enterprises within the framework of innovation infrastructure, to improve the scientific and research base that will support the development of relevant infrastructure, and to increase the staff potential of innovation activities. emphasized that it is of exceptional importance in terms of development. At the same time, the deputy minister pointed out the possibility of achieving a higher level of economic productivity through technology renewal and innovation, economic diversification, including focusing on high added value and labor-intensive areas.
Later, speaking at the event, Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti, the Deputy Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, spoke about the importance of innovations, and drew the attention of the event participants to the contribution of such competitions to the promotion of investments in innovative fields in the future, the possibilities of applying scientific achievements and innovations in various fields, as well as to the improvement of the national innovation system. have delivered.
During the mentioned meeting, the presentation of 17 projects was shown to the event participants and the winners of the competition were determined by the members of the Commission. It is planned to hold an award ceremony and announce the winners in December of this year.
22 November 2018