An expert group from the international rating agency Moodys is expected to arrive to Azerbaijan at the end of April. The visit` s aim is to collect information in order to give an independent rating for 2006. They are planning meetings in the State Oil Company, economic development ministry and National Bank of Azerbaijan.
Preparations for the visit are now held on the basis of the presented to Azerbaijani side question book. The agency is asking for macroeconomic data, about economic processes, bank market, demographic data.
The review will be held on the basis of contract signed with the Finances ministry for 1 year term. $40.000 will be allocated by the budget to pay for rating services of the agency.
Azerbaijan will have ratings from 2 agencies in 2006. According to the last international rating conducted by Fitch Ratings, the independent ratings of Azerbaijan in international and national currency have remained at the BB level (as it was in 2004); a stable forecast. Simultaneously agency has confirmed the short-term B rating and BB country ceiling.