On June 12, a workshop was held as part of the second phase of the “IDEA” project, conducted in collaboration with the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), and the World Economic Forum (WEF). The event was organized together with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Turkey’s MEXT Technology Center, focusing on the assessment of the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) for manufacturing enterprises in Azerbaijan.

In his opening remarks, Fariz Jafarov, Executive Director of C4IR, stated that the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) is a comprehensive tool designed to help manufacturing enterprises assess their current digitalization capabilities and provide a structured approach for smart industry transformation.

Tural Hajiyev, Deputy Executive Director of AZPROMO, emphasized the importance of digitalization in enhancing the export potential of companies.

Heather Lynn Taylor-Strauss, an expert from the Trade, Investment, and Innovation Division of UNESCAP, highlighted the interest of local companies in the project and noted the significance of the SIRI project for the digital transformation of companies.

Approximately 40 specialists from 15 companies attended the workshop.

Developed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with global industry leaders, SIRI covers the three main pillars of Industry 4.0: Process, Technology, and Organization. The index evaluates 16 dimensions of readiness for smart manufacturing, enabling companies to benchmark their progress against industry peers and develop tailored strategies for adopting the smart factory concept.