The new trend of Azerbaijan: ASAN

KAMAL JAFAROV

It is widely accepted that for developing countries the quality of the business environment plays a critical role in the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. Governments adopt the rules and frameworks in which businesses operate and are able to compete against one another. Therefore, consistent and sustainable government policy is crucial for foreign and local entrepreneurs. Business regulations, public service delivery and its method of work should be transparent, easily accessible and predetermined.

In fact, in the world of modern technology, for a better business environment, e-services have to be successfully integrated into business regulations. And its elements are constantly expanding the range of e-services provided to taxpayers, limiting the forms of live communications with taxpayers, simplification of relationship between tax authorities and taxpayers, integration with other government agencies and increasing transparency.

‘ASAN IMZA’

“ASAN IMZA” (simple signature), developed by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Taxes in partnership with the ASAN Service Center, provides an optimal business environment for foreign entrepreneurs and investments, rife with diverse e-services for tax regulations and the financial sector in Azerbaijan.

It allows entrepreneurs to use their mobile phone as a form of high level secured digital signing of documents for tax purposes and financial sector, without requiring a special card reader, which makes it possible to use it anywhere in the world and at any time on a various mobile devises.

“ASAN IMZA” works on the X-Road system, which is the best e-governance system in the world. Azerbaijan and Estonia are currently the only countries that implement this technology in their public sector.

Azerbaijan service and assessment network

Furthermore, the rapid and consistent development of e-services has changed the approach to relations between businesspersons and state authorities. Many efforts have been made to reduce the administrative burden, increase transparency and fight against corruption in this field.

One of the most important measures in this regard was the order of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the establishment of the ASAN Service.

The ultimate goal of ASAN Centers is to provide high level and convenient services to citizens and businesspersons from a united place in a form of modern technology and innovations adhere to ethical rules and politeness.

Citizens can renew their driving license and ID card in matter of seconds or use other functional government services while taking advantage of using free Internet, letting their children enjoy the play-ground, or getting help by young volunteers in filling applications.

Another advantage of ASAN Centers is avoiding waiting in queues for services, as long as the citizens can book queue online according to their schedule. Additionally they can check the status of application online for picking up.

All above-mentioned core elements are necessary for better public service delivery and a better business environment.

Kamal Jafarov is a master’s student of tax law at King’s College London.