Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technologies Minister Ali Abbasov told the forum that some $5-7bn is invested in Azerbaijan per year.

"ICT sector is the second developed sphere in Azerbaijan. The growth is 30-35% in the ICT section in a year. 80% of the annual $150mn-investment is the domestic capital."

He said ICT National Strategy and e-Government State Program envisage a number of reforms and implementation of new projects.

US ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne E.Derse said Azerbaijan is a close ally to the USA.

"Azerbaijan supported the US after the 9/11 terrorisitc attacks. Today Azerbaijan takes part in peace-making and antiterrorist campaigns together with the USA. Our countries enjoy great cooperation. We are interested in security of energy projects in the region. Non-oil sector is developing in Azerbaijan and we would like our companies to participate in this sector. ICT document signed between the two Governments will both expand cooperation and increase the trade between the both countries."

Deputy Economic Development Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and USACC co-chairman Rza Vaziri and other participants made speeches and briefed the guests about the investment climate of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani CIT ministry and the US Department of State signed a Protocol Concerning Cooperation at the end.

US leading companies like Harris Corporation, Science Applications International Corporation, Symantec Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Trimble Navigation, HP, ORACLE, Booz Allen Hamilton also attended the forum, APA informs.