I often sit with young people over a cup of coffee. They carry questions in their eyes – sometimes clear, sometimes not yet formed… But they have one thing in common: hope and a search for a way. When we start talking, time is forgotten. The questions follow one another, and in each answer I want to touch their soul, their faith.
In one of the last meetings
“What do you think is the secret recipe of the technology sector?”
This question led me to deep thought. After all, I have been in this field for years – I have traveled a path full of successes, mistakes, turning points. I thought that maybe if I put these thoughts on paper, somewhere, somewhere, it would touch the soul of a young person, give them a direction…
The formula for success of the technology sector may look different in each country. But in Azerbaijan this “recipe” is more a synthesis of a necessity, a stubbornness and a creative energy.
Yes, we have natural resources – oil, gas, etc. These resources have brought significant economic advantages to our country, provided serious support for the construction of infrastructure, the increase of social welfare and the provision of stability. However, this abundance of resources has also created a kind of “comfort zone” over time against internal initiative, the need for technological development and a culture of innovation.
However, the main resource of the digital era is human capital. The economy of the future is already written in code and grows with ideas. In this regard, the real strength of Azerbaijan is the formation of a young, energetic, flexible and constantly learning generation.
The development of our technology sector is not only taking place in comfortable conditions, but also in difficult times. Resources are sometimes limited, and infrastructure can sometimes be incomplete. But this should not stop us - on the contrary, it should accustom us to make flexible decisions and act without waiting for an “instruction manual”. “Necessity is the mother of invention”
As a culture, we should not consider failure a flaw and should not be ashamed of it, we should accept it as a stage on the path to success. Sometimes I tell my friends that this is a lesson and pass it off. Our startups, individual entrepreneurs often do not succeed on the first try - but they learn, try again, and finally, they fully understand that they will compete in the global market.
Another important component is the habit of thinking globally and international integration. This should not be limited to just participating in international events. Technology companies, startups, universities and researchers in Azerbaijan should actively participate in international programs. This participation will not only gain them financial and technical support, but also access to global standards, early integration into advanced technologies and cross-border cooperation networks. I even think that our country should create international Technology Transfer Offices so that the transition period can happen quickly.
This approach also contributes to the formation of the country's digital diplomacy. As Azerbaijan's innovation ecosystem keeps pace with global technological trends, the opportunity to be recognized as a "digital hub" or "testbed country" in the region increases. For this, not only technology transfer, but also the export of ideas must take place. In other words, we must not only accept foreign technologies, but also share relevant innovative solutions with the world.
In capital letters or out loud
The "secret recipe" of the Technology sector for our country is People, Perseverance, Invention
