Dec. 13
Ilham Aliyev, Benjamin Netanyahu hold one-on-one meeting
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the development of relations between the two countries.
Azerbaijan, Israel sign documents
Following the one-on-one meeting between Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a ceremony of signing documents between Azerbaijan and Israel was held. An agreement on cooperation in standardization, conformity assessment and metrology between the Government of Azerbaijan and the State of Israel was signed by Ramiz Hasanov, chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patent, and Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister Ze'ev Elkin. A convention on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to income taxes and for the prevention of tax evasion between the Government of Azerbaijan and the State of Israel was signed by Azerbaijan’s Taxes Minister Fazil Mammadov and Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister Ze'ev Elkin. A memorandum of understanding on creation of a joint commission between the Government of Azerbaijan and the State of Israel was signed by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister Ze'ev Elkin.
Azerbaijan urges Fujairah’s businessmen to invest its economy
Azerbaijan is interested in developing cooperation with Fujairah emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on a mutually beneficial basis, Dashgin Shikarov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UAE, said at the meeting with Emir of Fujairah Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. The ambassador added that Azerbaijan sees good prospects for developing cooperation in such areas as trade, tourism, agrarian sector, investment. Shikarov said that opening of a direct flight from Fujairah emirate to Azerbaijan, in particular, to Azerbaijani districts can also contribute to the development of such cooperation. The diplomat asked Emir of Fujairah to consider that issue. The ambassador urged Fujairah’s businessmen to invest in the Azerbaijani economy.
Paris hosts 8th session of Azerbaijan-France commission
Paris is hosting the 8th meeting of the Azerbaijan-France intergovernmental commission on economic issues, the Azerbaijani Finance Ministry said. At the meeting, the Azerbaijani side is headed by the country’s Finance Minister Samir Sharifov. The French side is headed by Matthias Fekl, minister of state for foreign trade, the promotion of tourism. The meeting’s agenda includes issues of economic and financial cooperation, energy, transportation, space and ICT, agriculture, environmental protection, culture, education, youth and sports. During the meeting, particular attention will be paid to the trade-economic and investment relations. The final protocol will be signed at the end of the meeting.
Azerbaijan and Ukraine to jointly design vessels
Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC and Ukraine’s Marine Engineering Bureau will create a joint enterprise – Caspian Marine Engineering Bureau, the Azerbaijani company said.
The relevant agreement was signed by heads of the two companies, Rauf Valiyev and Gennadiy Egorov. The new joint enterprise will be engaged in design work, creating vessel projects for various destinations, technical documentation for repair, modernization and operation of ships, training of specialists in this field, conducting research projects and others.
26 more state properties privatized in Azerbaijan
In an auction held by Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Property Issues, 26 state properties were sold as part of a new privatization program, the committee said.
One small state property unit and two unused non-residential areas of the privatized facilities are located in Baku, one facility is located in the city of Ganja, two facilities are in Sheki city, one facility is in Zagatala city, two unused non-residential areas are in the city of Sumqayit, another two facilities are in the city of Goychay, one facility is in the city of Agdash and one facility is in the Fuzuli district.
Azerbaijan’s state budget will receive 4.3 million manats (AZN) as a result of the privatization of these facilities.
Dec. 14
National low-cost carrier BUTA AIRWAYS to be established in Azerbaijan
A decision was made to establish Azerbaijan's own low-cost carrier at a meeting of the Board of CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL). The new low-cost carrier, which has been named BUTA AIRWAYS, will be part of the CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines and will be a 100-percent owned subsidiary company of AZAL. The airline will be based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. BUTA AIRWAYS will have its own fleet on the basis of Embraer aircrafts in its own livery, its own staff and independent tariff policy. It is expected that BUTA AIRWAYS will begin flights in autumn 2017.
Dec. 15
Ilham Aliyev meets US Special Envoy, Coordinator for International Energy Affairs
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the US Department of State Amos Hochstein.
Ilham Aliyev meets Danieli Group CEO
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A Gianpietro Benedetti.
Benedetti informed the president about the joint projects in metallurgy in Azerbaijan.
He said a huge metallurgical cluster including five large metallurgical factories will be created in Sumgayit as part of those projects. He also said that establishing those clusters will ensure the operation of the Dashkasan Ore Dressing Plant at full capacity. It will also ensure the creation of an integrated value chain of metallurgy from raw materials to a variety of new products in Azerbaijan, he said. Benedetti said all the projects are expected to be financed by European banks and private investors.
Dec. 16
Azerbaijani parliament amends tax legislation
The Azerbaijani parliament adopted a set of amendments to the country’s tax legislation which will enter force on January 1, 2017. The amendments include the taxation of operations with offshore companies, limiting cash payments made by big entrepreneurs, operating in trade and public catering, to 30,000 manats per month, the taxation of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs for withdrawal of funds from bank accounts, etc.
As well, the sale of poultry meat, production and sale of wheat flour and bread in Azerbaijan will be exempted from the value added tax (VAT) for three years starting from 2017.
Ilham Aliyev meets delegation led by Russian deputy PM
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Rogozin. The president touched upon the activity of the Joint Intergovernmental Economic Commission, saying its that day’s session in Baku featured constructive and successful discussion on various issues of cooperation.
Groundbreaking ceremony held for Azerbaijan Business Center in Astrakhan
A foundation stone has been laid for Azerbaijan Business Center in Astrakhan, Russia.
Governor of Astrakhan region Alexander Zhilkin and the Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov attended the ceremony.
Ali Hasanov said the agreement on construction of Azerbaijan Business Center was signed at Azerbaijan-Russia Interregional Forum in Baku early November. He said the project was initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.