Bir Signs MoU on Digitisation of Icherisheher

Bir, the Caucasus’ first fully integrated banking, payments and e-commerce ecosystem, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Administration of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve to enhance how residents, merchants and tourists experience one of Azerbaijan’s most important cultural landmarks.

Under the agreement, Bir will introduce AI-powered and digital solutions to enhance the visitor experience at Icherisheher, Baku’s Old City, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Planned initiatives include smart navigation tools, multilingual digital guides, QR-based heritage information systems, AI chatbot support and a unified mobile platform to simplify the user experience for residents and visitors to Azerbaijan.

Baku is hosting the United Nations’ 13th annual World Urban Forum (WUF13) – established by the United Nations in 2001 to examine the impact of rapid urbanisation on communities, cities, economies and climate change – marking the first time this important global forum is held in the Caucasus region. Plans for the digitisation of the Old City will be highlighted at WUF13. 

Farid Huseynov, Head of the Bir ecosystem, commented:

“This partnership reflects our commitment to using technology and innovation to make everyday experiences simpler, smarter and more accessible for people. We are proud to support Azerbaijan’s digital transformation by bringing together the strengths of our banking, payments and e-commerce ecosystem to help create a more connected and convenient urban environment. Icherisheher is one of the country’s most iconic cultural landmarks, and we see great potential in using innovative tech solutions to enrich how residents and visitors engage with the city’s history, services and attractions.”

Rufat Mahmud, Head of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, noted:

“Icherisheher is advancing toward a Smart Reserve model that integrates heritage conservation, digital governance and sustainable urban management through innovative technologies and data-driven solutions. Combining our historic heritage with advanced technology will create a more seamless and engaging experience for residents, local businesses and the millions of tourists who visit Baku each year. From museums and cultural venues to restaurants and public spaces, these solutions will make it easier for people to discover and enjoy everything our Old City has to offer. We are pleased to partner with Bir on this initiative and look forward to introducing smart technologies that strengthen both accessibility and the preservation of our unique cultural heritage.”

The MoU is set to further expand the reach of Bir, which already serves more than 5 million people. It envisions strengthening the Old City’s digital banking and payments infrastructure, digitising museum and events ticketing, rolling out a unified visitor hub and a loyalty program to ensure a seamless digital experience for visiting the Old Town.  

About Bir

Bir is the first fully integrated banking, payments and e-commerce ecosystem of the Caucasus, redefining how people and businesses interact with daily services in Azerbaijan. Launched in 2025 to unite the country’s leading brands, including Birbank, Birmarket e-commerce platform, Milliön payment terminals, and m10 e-wallet app, the Bir ecosystem reaches over 5 million users. Through its extensive ecosystem and strategic partnerships with Trendyol marketplace and BakıKart transportation payment solution, Bir is building the foundation for Azerbaijan’s first and largest digital ecosystem for consumers and businesses.

For additional information, please visit://bir.az/