Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30
By Azad Hasanli – Trend:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) suggests that Azerbaijan creates a centralized agency for work with foreign investors, said Ivana Duarte, head of the EBRD resident office in Baku.
She made the remarks at the conference titled “Economic Reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations” in Baku May 30.
Such an agency could provide legal and consulting assistance to investors, help investors obtain various permits in the country, etc., according to Duarte.
She touched upon the measures implemented by the Azerbaijani government to support the SMEs, noting that the EBRD welcomes creation of an agency for work with SMEs in Azerbaijan. Creation of the agency will allow the government and the private sector to exchange views, as well as help in implementing reforms needed in this sector, according to Duarte.
She said Azerbaijan’s relevant strategic roadmap addresses the issue of improving literacy of SME representatives, and this is one of the areas the EBRD currently focuses on. Every year, the EBRD holds trainings for representatives of 50-60 companies and it has recently started working with women entrepreneurs, Duarte added.
She also pointed to the fact that the EBRD has extensive experience in financing projects within public-private partnership, adding the bank is ready to share this experience to help shape the necessary legal framework.
Azerbaijan has been cooperating with EBRD since 1992.