The average annual growth in the ICT sector in Azerbaijan in 2020 is expected to be 18-20 per cent, and income of the sector will be approximately $8-9 billion, the Deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Elmir Valizade said.

"This is a very important goal, and now the work is already being done in this direction," Valizade said during the first international Caspian Energy Forum - 2014.

If in 2003-2009 the share of ICT in GDP was five per cent, it is expected that by 2020 this figure will reach nine per cent, according to the deputy minister.

The ongoing reforms confronts the ministry with the new goals and objectives, among which are development of micro-, nano-, bio-, space and nuclear technologies, the introduction of high technology and obtaining of new materials on their base, including the creation of conditions for the production resource-intensive technologies and products.

"It is necessary to create a favorable competitive environment and increasing staff potential in order toachieve these goals. It is important to strengthen cooperation with the private sector of economy," Valizade said.

In general, an important component of doubling GDP of the country by 2020, in accordance with the "Azerbaijan 2020: A Look into the Future" Development Concept is the development of non-oil sector of the economy and the transition from a traditional to knowledge-based economy expansion of innovative activity, etc.