BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The reforms carried out in the economic sphere have made it possible to collect 2 billion manats in excess of the forecast in the tax sphere in six months, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said addressing the meeting dedicated to the results of six months of this year, Trend reports.
"Why? Because there is transparency, accuracy and accountability. A few years ago, business people were given time to switch to normal tracks and shake off the shadow economy. Those who patronized them, as they say, were taught a lesson as well. Therefore, the tax authorities alone collected an additional 2 billion manats in six months, and we are using these funds. There are still about six months left until the end of the year. This is the key factor behind our financial and economic opportunities.
As for economic growth, of course, we always divide it into two parts – economic growth and the growth of the non-oil economy. There are good results in both directions. The economy grew by 6.2 percent, the non-oil economy by 9.6 percent, total production in the field of industry by 2.1 percent and in the field of the non-oil industry by 11.5 percent. These are very good results, and we are seeing them in real life, because it allows us the opportunity to raise salaries and pensions. The income of the population has increased by about 20 percent. True, inflation absorbs a part of this growth, so to speak. It is just over 12 percent, but this is a general trend all over the world. Even in countries where inflation may have been at 0-0.5 or 1 percent, it is approaching double digits now. In other words, this is a general trend, and we are part of the global economy," the head of state said.