BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 28
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Azerbaijani and French companies have tangible business opportunities in at least four sectors, Director for Eurasia, Asia, Pacific and Energy of MEDEF International (Mouvement des entreprises de France), Bogdan Gadenne-Feertchak told Trend.
“Azerbaijan’s authorities have engaged in an ambitious economic diversification program, combined with a strong will to boost reforms. World Banks Doing Business Report placed Azerbaijan among the top-10 reformers in 2019. To my opinion, these two positive trends offer tangible business opportunities in, at least, 4 sectors: Agriculture with a focus on increasing mechanization and productivity by implementing new technologies and processes; Energy transition to prepare for the post-oil era as well as the modernization of municipal infrastructures and services following a resource-efficiency orientation; Transport & logistics to make the most of country’s geographical localization; and, probably, in the digital sector since the reforms process in Azerbaijan comes together with the implementation of IT and digital technologies,” he said.
Gadenne-Feertchak recalled that during the last interactions with Azerbaijan’s public authorities, in Baku last year and more recently during a web-based discussion with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikhayil Jabbarov, it was underlined that long-term approach and such component as capacity building and knowledge and technology sharing would be favorably considered in the projects proposed by French companies.
“It is undoubtedly an important dimension that can qualitatively improve and durably reinforce the relationship between French and Azerbaijani companies,” he added.
Gadenne-Feertchak pointed out that MEDEF International has been active with Azerbaijan since 1992 within its France-Azerbaijan Business Council.
“The Council gathers French companies of all size and all sectors being already present in Azerbaijan, or interested in developing their business on this market. Responding to the Azerbaijani government’s call for a more diversified economy, MEDEF International has significantly increased and strengthened its actions in favor of French companies’ development in Azerbaijan beyond the oil and gas sectors. By organizing regular business meetings in France with Azerbaijani officials and business missions to Baku, MEDEF International has built over the past two decades a strong relationship both with Azerbaijan’s public decision makers and the country’s large companies. This relationship is made of mutual interest and confidence and is based on a common view about the shared benefices of long-run partnership,” he said.
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