Last week the meeting of Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers took place dedicated to the results of social-economic development of the country in 2007 and targets in 2008. At the meeting, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, made a speech, speaking of Azerbaijan's successes in 2007 and negative moments.
Thus, amongst the successes, the President highlighted 25% growth of the GDP, billions of investments, increase in the budget expenses, decrease of the poverty level up to 16%, opening of 145,000 new workplaces during the year. In addition, the President drew attention to the high level of inflation in the country. Thus, as a result of 2007 the inflation totaled 16%. "It is very high figure," the President said. According to him, the profits of Azerbaijan's population increased by 38%, but considering the inflation, the real profits of population made up 22%. "In 2008 we should maintain macro-economy at a stable level," the President said.
According to the State Head the sharp oil price increase significantly affected these processes which led to price increase for the imported commodities. Yet the consumer market of the country significantly depends on the import. The regional development programs in Azerbaijan, development of industry and entrepreneurship are directed towards maximally decreasing the Country's dependence on import. "The cost of grain increased by 50% in the world and it adversely affected," the President said.
Not only objective, but also private reasons promote rise in inflation and this problem should be solved. "The principles of the strong competition must be completely determined and the striving for the monopoly must be liquidated," President said. The President expressed his hope that the inflation in Azerbaijan will be in a normal level in 2008.
After the wide speech of the President, reports were delivered by the ministers. Azerbaijan's Minister of Taxes, Fazil Mammadov, said that more than 250 entrepreneurs have been registered within four days after implementation of the principle of 'single window'.
According to the Minister, implementation of the new system decreased the period of the State registration of the new enterprises up to three days and the number of the documents were reduced by several times. The number of the procedures was decreased from 13 to 5. The measures on business simplification in Azerbaijan will enable to appear in the top 20 of the countries in the Doing Business report of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation.