BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21
By Fidan Babayeva – Trend:
Seventy percent of new priorities and strategies in the Azerbaijani economy will be developed on the basis of digital platforms in the upcoming ten years, Arzu Huseynova, acting director of the Institute for Scientific Research on Economic Reforms under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy told Trend.
According to her, accelerating the process of digitalization of the Azerbaijani economy, increasing the stability of economic ties with neighboring and partner states are of extreme importance in the process of the country's economic recovery.
"The [COVID-19] pandemic mostly hit 12 areas of economic activity in Azerbaijan. The steps taken by the government as part of measures to combat the pandemic have limited a number of the economic activities," Huseynova pointed out.
She stressed that in connection with the implementation of the Order of the President of Azerbaijan No. 1950 dated March 19, 2020, "On a number of measures to reduce the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the sharp fluctuations in the global energy and stock markets, Azerbaijan's economy, macroeconomic stability, employment in the country and business entities", the following 12 areas of economic activity were identified as the most affected by the pandemic: transport; culture, leisure and recreational activities; physical culture and recreation activities and sports; activities of travel agencies and other organizations providing services in the field of tourism; hospitality sector; public catering; activities of additional education organizations, non-state educational institutions; organization of conferences and exhibitions; household services to the population (repair, laundry, dry cleaning, hairdressing and beauty salons); healthcare; retail trade in non-food products; and mass media and production of printed products.
"The rehabilitation of these areas depends on the current sanitary and epidemiological situation in the country. An improvement of the may lead to a softening of the strict quarantine regime, which, in turn, will accelerate the resumption of activities in limited areas," Huseynova said.
The recovery of all areas will require a sufficient amount of time and financial support, noted the acting director.
“To this end, the damage suffered by these industries must be calculated and a package of proposals for their support and recovery prepared. Catering activities and private training courses can be restored faster based on limited activity,” she concluded.
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