Nov. 27
Orchards for low-income families planted in Azerbaijani districts
Orchards for low-income families were planted in Azerbaijan’s Lankaran district November 23, Beylagan and Sabirabad districts Nov. 24, the IDEA Public Union said in a message.
This was initiated by IDEA, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), Regional Development Public Association of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Cavan Youth Movement Public Union.
Meanwhile, 1,250 feijoa trees were planted on a two-hectare-area in Lankaran district, 1,000 apricot trees were planted on a two-hectare-area in Beylagan district and 1,000 pomegranate trees were planted on a two-hectare-area in Sabirabad district.
Orchards were divided between low-income families and families of martyrs, and given free of charge.
A pilot project for planting of fruit trees started in April 2017 at the initiative of vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, goodwill ambassador of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Leyla Aliyeva.
Within the project, first orchards have already been planted in Ismayilli, Shamkir, Agstafa, Tovuz, Agdash and Gakh districts of Azerbaijan.
Socio-economic importance of this project is to improve the welfare of the population as well as contribute to reducing the country's dependence on imports of agricultural products.
Around 10,000 fruit trees were planted in the country’s nine districts. Moreover, around 2,000 young people joined the fruit tree-planting campaigns in the districts. IDEA expresses its gratitude to all volunteers, who participated in the event, as well as organizations which supported the event.
Azerbaijan, Afghanistan to ink five documents
Azerbaijan and Afghanistan will sign five documents, said Afghan Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohammad Taqi Khalili at a press conference in Baku.
The documents will be signed during the visit of Afghanistan’s President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to Baku.
The envoy noted that the documents will cover the spheres of security, education, air space and mutual investments.
Khalili added that November is a very important month for bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.
The ambassador reminded that Afghanistan’s economy minister recently visited Azerbaijan and held discussions with the country’s officials on important issues of mutual interest.
“We express our gratitude to Azerbaijan for its partnership and support,” added Khalili.
Ali Hasanov highlights friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan
Astana, with the organizational support of the International Turkic Academy, is hosting a presentation of the book, “Nursultan Nazarbayev. Biography”, published in the Azerbaijani language.
The event is being attended by Azerbaijani President’s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, Head of the Chancellery of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan and Deputy Director of the Library of the First President of Kazakhstan Mahmud Kasymbekov, President of the International Turkic Academy Darkhan Kydyrali and others.
Ali Hasanov, who wrote the foreword to the book, addressed the event.
He spoke about friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the merits of the presented book.
The Azerbaijani top official touched upon the indisputable role of leaders in the lives of both peoples living the same fate.
Hasanov said that as a result of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s wise policy, today there is peace, stability between nations and nations in Kazakhstan, and a society has been formed that has multicultural values.
Representatives of more than 130 peoples, including Azerbaijanis, live and work in the country in conditions of civil peace and national solidarity.
President of the International Turkic Academy Darkhan Kydyrali called a significant event the translation into Azerbaijani of a book telling about the life of the Turkic world’s aksakal (refers to the male elders, the old and wise of the community in parts of Central Asia and Caucasus), Nursultan Nazarbayev.
He expressed gratitude to Ali Hasanov for the foreword he had written for the book.
Vice-President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Science and Education Isa Habibbayli, for his part, noted that the publication of this book is an obvious indicator of the Azerbaijani people’s love for the Kazakh people.
He emphasized that the transition of Kazakhstan to the Latin alphabet will contribute to the further rapprochement of the peoples, and noted the importance of publishing the presented book in the Latin alphabet.
Afterwards, member of the Azerbaijani parliament Elman Nasirov spoke about the merits of Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in the development of relations between the two countries.
Following the book’s presentation, Azerbaijani President’s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov was interviewed by Kazakhstan’s state TV channel Khabar.
Hasanov said that Nursultan Nazarbayev was awarded the Heydar Aliyev Order, which is the highest award of Azerbaijan.
During the awarding ceremony President Ilham Aliyev noted that Nursultan Nazarbayev is a big friend of great leader Heydar Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people, added the Azerbaijani top official.
Nov. 28
Ilham Aliyev: Eastern Partnership Summit’s declaration is a great diplomatic achievement of Azerbaijan
The adoption of the final declaration, which once again confirms and supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Eastern Partnership member countries, at the Eastern Partnership Summit of the European Union is a great diplomatic achievement of Azerbaijan.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made the remark at a meeting with representatives of the Tartar community and internally displaced persons after familiarizing with the conditions created in the new residential complex built for 1,170 families of IDPs in Tartar.
Therefore, according to the head of state, ways to resolve the conflict should be based on this historical truth, justice and international law.
"I am sure that it will be this way, Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. We can not allow the establishment of a second Armenian state on our land. All authoritative international organizations recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan and made many decisions, adopted resolutions proving this. We provide the world with information about the historical past of Nagorno-Karabakh," President Aliyev said.
President Aliyev said that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized, supported by the whole world, and all international organizations have their say in this regard.
"The most authoritative among them is the UN. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied lands. That is, the international community has said its word on this issue," the head of state said.
President Aliyev inaugurates renovated Sugovushan-Hashimkhanli highway in Sabirabad
As part of his visit to Sabirabad, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of the newly renovated Sugovushan-Garalar-Gafarli-Ahmadabad-Narimankand-Hashimkhanli highway.
Chairman of Azeravtoyol OJSC Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state that the two-lane highway is 43 km in length and 6 m in width.
Road safety poles, traffic signs, and informative boards were installed along the highway.
President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the newly renovated highway.
Ilham Aliyev visits poultry farm in Sabirabad district
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited a poultry farm of Sabirabad Gushchulug Ltd. in Nizami village in Sabirabad district.
Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state that over the past years the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry allocated 133.4 million manats in preferential loans to 40 poultry farms. The farms were supplied with the state-of-the-art equipment made by the leading companies of developed countries.
The poultry farm in Sabirabad is an affiliate of Hajigabul Gushchulug Ltd. Founded in 1978, Hajigabul Gushchulug Ltd. is the first privatized poultry farm in the country. The facility currently produces one million eggs per day. The farm exported 5.5 million eggs to Iraq and Afghanistan this year. It is planned to increase the volume of export to 10 million eggs by the end of the year. The farm plans to export 4.5 million eggs to the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Belarus.
The National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economy allocated one million manats in preferential loans for the construction of the poultry farm in Sabirabad. The farm plans to produce 109 million eggs, 1,400 tons of poultry and 750,000 heads of hens. The facility will create 150 permanent jobs.
President Aliyev opens newly overhauled highway in Sabirabad
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Galaghayin-Osmanli-Chol Beshdali-Zalgaraghaj-Chol Aghamammadli-Azadkand-Mughan Ganjali highway in Sabirabad district after major overhaul.
The head of state was informed that the two-lane highway is 6 meters in width.
Road safety poles, traffic signs, and informative boards were installed along the highway.
President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the newly reconstructed highway.
President Aliyev lays foundation stone for Sabirabad Industrial Hub
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sabirabad Industrial Hub.
Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state about the work done to create industrial hubs in Azerbaijan. The first industrial hub in Azerbaijan was established in Neftchala by the relevant order of President Ilham Aliyev. There are nine plants and a small workshop in Neftchala Industrial Hub, which was inaugurated with the participation of the head of state this September. Neftchala Industrial Hub created 474 jobs.
Another industrial hub will be established in Masalli in accordance with the order of the Azerbaijani president dated June 13, 2016.
The head of state was informed that Masalli Industrial Hub will occupy a total area of 10 hectares. The construction of the facility started this July and will end in April 2018. Masalli Industrial Hub will create 600 jobs.
President Ilham Aliyev was also informed of Hajigabul Industrial Hub, construction of which is to begin January 2018.
Sabirabad Industrial Hub will cover an area of 20 hectares.
President Ilham Aliyev laid a foundation stone for Sabirabad Industrial Hub.
Amount of soft loans allocated for construction of bread plants in Azerbaijan revealed
So far, the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support (NFES) of Azerbaijan has allocated soft loans worth 54 million manats for construction of bread plants in the country, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at the opening of a bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district.
The minister said that these funds were allocated for construction of 30 bread plants with a total cost of 113.3 million manats and daily production capacity of 827.6 tons.
Mustafayev noted that more than half of these plants were built in Azerbaijan’s districts.
“Thirteen plants with total production capacity of 443.6 tons daily were built in Baku, and 17 plants with production capacity of 384 tons daily were built in Azerbaijan’s districts,” he noted. “To date, a total of 160 bread producing facilities with total production capacity of 2,200 tons per day operate in Azerbaijan.”
The NFES plans to allocate loans worth 150 million manats in 2017.
The NFES was established in 1992.
Turkey sends first train to Azerbaijan via BTK railway
Turkey has sent its first train via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway to Azerbaijan, the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) said in a message.
The train consisting of 32 containers and carrying 650 tons of cargo left the Turkish province of Mersin for Azerbaijan.
The train is expected to arrive in Baku in 96 hours.
The first freight train was sent via the new BTK railway from Kazakhstan’s Kokshetau on October 24. The train consisted of 32 containers loaded with grain.
The BTK railway was constructed on the basis a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement.
The railway’s peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year.
Ilham Aliyev attends opening of bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of a bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district.
Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state that there are more than 160 bread plants in Azerbaijan with 2,200 tons of daily production capacity.
The bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district covers a total area of six hectares. The facility consists of two production areas.
The National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economy allocated a 1.4 million manats preferential loan for the construction of the plant with a total cost of four million manats.
The daily production capacity of the plant is 20 tons. The plant manufactures seven types of bread and 20 types of flour products.
President Aliyev launched the facility, watched the production process and viewed the finished products.
Nov. 29
Azerbaijan offers Croatia to jointly produce ship spare parts
Azerbaijan offers Croatia to establish joint enterprises for production of spare parts for shipbuilding sector, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said.
Mustafayev made the remarks at a meeting with Croatian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Martina Dalic in Baku, the Azerbaijani Economy Ministry said.
“Azerbaijan and Croatia have great potential for expansion of ties in industry, shipbuilding, oil industry, chemistry, pharmaceutics, transit, tourism, agriculture, trade and other spheres,” Mustafayev added.
The minister also offered to organize a presentation of Azerbaijan’s industrial and petrochemical potential, as well as projects being implemented in the country in these spheres for the Croatian companies.
Data from Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee shows that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Croatia amounted to $105.1 million in January-October 2017.
President Aliyev receives delegation of CISCO
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Vice-President for global innovations at CISCO company Guy Diedrich.
Guy Diedrich hailed CISCO's successful cooperation with Azerbaijan, as well as the fruitful collaboration with the country's Ministry of Transport, Communication and High Technologies. Guy Diedrich recalled his previous meetings with President Ilham Aliyev, saying these meetings yielded very good results. Saying the company is working on a number of projects relating to Azerbaijan, Vice-President Diedrich emphasized that CISCO attaches great importance to cooperation with the country. He pointed to the comprehensive opportunities for the efficient implementation of work in Azerbaijan in a short period of time.
President Ilham Aliyev hailed Azerbaijan's successful cooperation with CISCO company. The head of state recalled his meetings with the company's executives, and noted that good foundations have been laid for developing bilateral relations since these meetings. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his hope that this collaboration will continue expanding.
Describing the IT field as one of the key priorities for Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev underlined the importance of large-scale work on this front in terms of rapid development of the Azerbaijani economy.
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan-EU agreement to cover all co-op areas in line with best mutual interests
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Republic of Croatia, Co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Croatia Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation Martina Dalic.
The head of state hailed the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia.
President Ilham Aliyev recalled Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's visit to Azerbaijan, describing it as a success. The President hailed reciprocal visits at different levels between the two countries. The head of state underlined the importance of mutual trade, investment and collaboration of companies in terms of expanding cooperation in a variety of fields. President Ilham Aliyev noted the significance of the activities of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation in this regard.
Pointing to Azerbaijan-European Union relations, President Ilham Aliyev underlined that the recent Eastern Partnership Summit was a success and yielded good results, and emphasized the importance of the Declaration adopted at the Summit. The head of state said work is underway on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU, and expressed his hope that the agreement will cover all areas of bilateral cooperation – in accordance with best mutual interests – including political, economic, energy and cultural ones.
The President hailed good prospects for long-term energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Croatia, praising Croatia's regular participation in the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Republic of Croatia, Co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Croatia Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation Martina Dalic extended greetings and best wishes of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to President Ilham Aliyev.
Martina Dalic expressed her pleasure with her visit to Baku, saying they feel at home in Azerbaijan. She pointed out high level of bilateral relations between the two countries, noting the importance of the two presidents' joint efforts in terms of expansion of bilateral cooperation.
Martina Dalic underlined ample opportunities for deepening Azerbaijan-Croatia cooperation in investment, trade and other spheres, and hailed the successful activities of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.
President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings and best wishes of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and asked the Deputy Prime Minister to extend his greetings and best wishes to the Croatian head of state and premier.
Nov. 30
Azerbaijan urges Turkic-speaking countries to up mutual investment
The countries-members of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) have great opportunities for mutual investment.
Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev made the remark at the 7th meeting of the Economy Ministers of Turkic-council in Istanbul.
The minister invited the member countries to take advantage of this potential, as well as realize transit potential.
"To increase the volume of cargo transportation and preferring transit routes passing through our countries, coordination platforms should be expanded with the member countries of the Turkic Council and with other Turkic-speaking countries," Mustafayev said, inviting the member countries to take advantage of the opportunities of the Alat Free Economic Zone, industrial parks and qdistricts, established in Azerbaijan, the logistics center of Azerbaijan in Aktau, as well as the Baku International Sea Trade Port.
The minister noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to trade and investment cooperation with the countries of the Turkic Council, and relations between businessmen.
He recalled that in January-September 2017 the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the member countries of the Turkic Council amounted to $ 2.1 billion, including $ 1 billion in imports and $ 1.1 billion in exports. During this period, the share of the member countries of the Turkic Council in the foreign trade turnover of Azerbaijan was 15 percent, including 16 percent in imports, and 13 percent in exports.
Touching upon economic ties with Turkey, Mustafayev highlighted trade and investment between the countries, joint projects, adding that an agreement on preferential trade, the discussion of which is scheduled for Dec.1, will support the growth of trade.
In conclusion, the Protocol of the Seventh Meeting of the Ministers of Economy of the Countries of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking Countries was signed
The meeting also discussed issues of further strengthening of economic cooperation between the countries, attracting Turkish investors to agro-parks and industrial parks, established in Azerbaijan, increasing transit cargo transportation, expanding trade jets, etc.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan agree to exchange transportation permits
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan held a meeting of Joint Commission on International Road Transport in Baku.
The two countries exchanged data on volume of road transport in 2017 as well as information on the use of special transport permits, and discussed a number of other significant issues, the Ministry of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan said in a message.
The parties stressed parity in use of transport permits by Kazakh and Azerbaijani carriers - Azerbaijani carriers prevail in transportation, while Kazakh carriers prevail in transits.
At the same time, the countries do not carry out passenger transportation.
However, the delegations noted that the issue of establishing a car passenger communication between the two countries will be considered.
The sides agreed to establish a preliminary exchange of 1,000 bilateral transportation and transit permits for 2018.
Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers approves work plan for 2018
An expanded meeting of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has been held under the chairmanship of the country’s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade to discuss the work plan for the next year, the Cabinet of Ministers said.
The proposals included in the work plan of the Cabinet for the next year were reviewed and discussed at the meeting.
Then a decision was made to approve the Cabinet of Ministers' work plan for 2018.
Dec. 1
President Ilham Aliyev: BTK opens new way from Asia to Europe and backwards
Azerbaijan and Afghanistan are participants of large-scale transport projects, said Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in a statement for the press in Baku.
The event was also attended by President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
"Today, during the conference, each of us touched upon the Lapis-Lazuli transport project. This is a very important project for all the participating countries. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, together with neighboring countries and partner countries, completed the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project that opens a new road from Asia to Europe and backwards, which is the shortest road among all other existing routes," the head of state stressed.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that the creation of a transport network not only opens up new opportunities, but also contributes to the development.
"We are witnessing this in our own country. Even after the construction of rural roads, we immediately see production growth, convenient access to markets and the revitalization of development. That is why connection of our countries with the railway networks of Central Asia and Europe is indeed a historic achievement," the President said.
Baku Declaration adopted at 7th Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process Ministerial
The 7th Ministerial Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA), titled “Security and Economic Connectivity towards a Strengthened Heart of Asia Region”, adopted the Baku Declaration.
"We reaffirm our commitment to the UN Charter and its enshrined principles of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders, sovereign equality of nations and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states as well as universally recognized principles and norms of international law. We reiterate the importance of increased political dialogue and consultation between the countries comprising the Heart of Asia for a stable, peaceful and prosperous region," the document reads.
Living wage in Azerbaijan to increase
Azerbaijani Parliament has adopted a draft law “On living wage for 2018” at a plenary session.
The living wage is projected in the amount of 173 manats in Azerbaijan for 2018, which is 11.6 percent more than in 2017, according to the draft law.
The amount will reach 183 manats for the working age population, 144 manats for pensioners, and 154 manats for children.
This year, the living wage is 155 manats, namely, 164.5 manats for the working age population, 130.2 manats for pensioners, and 136.6 manats for children.
Azerbaijan parliament adopts draft 2018 state budget
The Azerbaijani parliament adopted the draft state budget for 2018 at its plenary session.
In the draft budget, the revenues of the Azerbaijani state budget for 2018 are forecast at 20.127 billion manats (including centralized incomes of 19.476 billion manats and local incomes of 650.671 million manats) and expenditures at 21.047 billion manats.
The uppermost limit of deficit of the state budget is forecast at 920 million manats.
About 9.216 billion manats of the state budget revenues account for SOFAZ transfers.
Revenues from the value added tax (VAT) are forecast at 4.288 billion manats (including 1.705 billion manats of VAT from imported goods), revenues from income tax – at 2.320 billion manats, revenues from individual income tax – at 1.196 billion manats, revenues from excise tax – at 726 million manats (including 172 million manats of excise tax for goods imports), customs revenues – at 535 million manats, revenues from simplified tax – at 380 million manats, revenues from subsoil use tax – at 136 million manats, revenues from highway use tax – at 91 million manats.
Budget forecasts are based on an oil price of $45 per barrel.
Azerbaijan arranging export of industrial products to Middle East market
Products of the Sumgait Technologies Park (STP) are entering the Middle East market, the STP press service told Trend. The STP strategy has undergone drastic changes, and it is aimed primarily at reducing imports and increasing the country’s export potential. “We attach great importance to the access of our products to international markets. Our official distributors, who will be involved in export, have already started their operations in Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and the Middle East,” said the STP. “We have already started working with Arab countries, where we plan to sell soon our factory’s products,” added the press service.
Today, the company’s export portfolio includes cable products, which are already supplied to the countries of the region.
“Currently, we are planning to obtain the relevant certificate, which will allow us to arrange the export of high-voltage cables,” said the STP.
The Sumgait Technologies Park is the biggest company implementing new infrastructure projects in the power industry of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan, Afghanistan sign 5 documents
A ceremony of signing Azerbaijan-Afghanistan documents has been held with participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Minister of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Eklil Ahmad Hakimi signed “The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on economic and trade cooperation”.
Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Minister of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Eklil Ahmad Hakimi signed “The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani signed “The Agreement between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on cooperation in the sphere of education”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani signed “The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the field of security and law enforcement activity”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani signed “The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan concerning air services”.
Azerbaijan simplifying procedure for registration of foreigners
The procedure for registration of foreigners is being simplified in Azerbaijan, according to the amendments to the country’s Migration Code adopted at a plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament. The corresponding changes were made to Article 21 of the Migration Code.
According to the amendments, in case if a foreigner or a stateless person resides in another apartment, which belongs to an owner of the apartment, where the foreigner is registered, there is no need to re-register at the place of residence. It should be noted that according to Azerbaijan’s migration legislation, foreigners or stateless persons, who reside in the country for more than 10 days, must register at the place of residence.
To this end, an owner of the apartment (or other residential area) or management of an institution where a foreigner or a stateless person resides, must submit a residence questionnaire of this person at the place of residence and a copy of his or her ID (other document on crossing the border) within 10 days personally or through an information resource of the relevant executive body, or via e-mail, to the relevant executive authority.
Azerbaijan expands sources of financing of State Debt Guarantee Fund
The free balance of the unrealized gain of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan has been included in the State Debt Guarantee Fund to secure debts received under the state guarantee, according to the amendments to the Law on State Debt adopted Dec. 1 at a plenary meeting of the Azerbaijani Parliament.
At present, the funds in the fund are accumulated through:
- funds allocated from the state budget;
- a one-time uncompensated fee, received from the main borrower to provide a state guarantee;
- revenues to the state budget on re-agreements concluded between legal entities – principal and repetitive borrowers and the relevant executive authority, and contracts concluded with intermediary banks (agents) in connection with the use of loans;
- part of the costs saved during the year, and envisaged in the state budget in connection with servicing the public debt and others;
- income from the management of funds received by the State Debt Guarantee Fund;
- other sources not prohibited by Azerbaijan’s legislation.
The changes to the Law “On State Debt” have been prepared in connection with the changes introduced in the Law “On the Central Bank of Azerbaijan”.
As of July 1, 2017, the volume of Azerbaijan’s foreign public debt amounted to $7,172.6 million (12,208.5 million manats), which accounts for 18.9 percent of the country’s GDP.
Azerbaijan exempts its trade reps from income tax
Azerbaijan’s trade representatives and employees of their offices in foreign countries have been exempt from income taxes, according to the amendments to the Tax Code of Azerbaijan adopted in the country’s parliament.
President Ilham Aliyev decreed on Jan. 26, 2017 to appoint trade representatives of Azerbaijan in the country’s embassies and consulates abroad.
Under the decree, the country’s economy minister will appoint trade representatives in the Azerbaijani embassies and consulates abroad to facilitate business ties and increase the effectiveness of export promotion measures, represent and fully protect the trade and economic interests of the country and exporters in foreign countries, and expand the delivery of Azerbaijani products to foreign markets.
According to the decree, the trade representatives will take measures to expand Azerbaijan's trade and economic relations with the countries where they are appointed.
The trade representatives will also take measures to protect economic interests, increase exports of goods and services of Azerbaijan, promote the business and investment opportunities in the country, the decree said.
To date, Azerbaijan’s trade representatives have been appointed in Russia, China and the UAE.
President Aliyev: Good opportunities exist to expand Azerbaijan-Estonia co-op in trade, tourism, transport
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Sven Mikser.
Sven Mikser expressed his gratitude to the head of state for the excellent organization of the "Heart of Asia" – Istanbul Process 7th Ministerial Conference under the motto "Security and Economic Connectivity towards a Strengthened Heart of Asia Region” in Baku.
He said he was glad to visit Azerbaijan during his country’s presidency of the EU. He also emphasized the importance of the recent European Union Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels, thanking President Ilham Aliyev for participating in the event. Hailing the successful relations between the EU and Azerbaijan, Sven Mikser expressed his hope that these ties will further develop.
President Ilham Aliyev underlined the successful organization of the Eastern Partnership Summit and noted the significance of the discussions held and the Joint Declaration adopted during the meeting.
Touching upon relations between the EU and Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev said his country enjoys close partnership with the organization and strategic partnership declarations have already been signed with nine EU member states. President Ilham Aliyev said that active negotiations on the new strategic partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU are underway and expressed his confidence that this process will soon be completed.
The head of state hailed Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union in energy, transport and other areas. Underlining the importance of the Baku 7th Ministerial Conference, President Ilham Aliyev stressed Azerbaijan's unwavering support for the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.
The head of state pointed to the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Estonia. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the significance of Estonian companies' participation in the field of information and communication technologies in Azerbaijan, saying there are good opportunities for expanding cooperation between the two countries in trade, tourism, transport and other spheres.
Azerbaijan prepares new proposals for beekeeping development
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture has prepared new proposals for the development of beekeeping, Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture Heydar Asadov said.
Asadov made the remarks at a joint event with BP in Baku Dec. 1, dedicated to the support for the development of beekeeping in Azerbaijan.
The minister added that the proposals will be submitted for consideration to the Azerbaijani government soon.
Asadov added that the role of agriculture in the Azerbaijani economy has greatly increased recently, which also concerns ensuring of food security, increasing of the employment level and income of rural residents.
UK’s BP company together with its project partners in Azerbaijan have presented the “Sweet Gold” project worth 3.3 million manats, aimed at the development of beekeeping in the regions of the country.
The pilot phase of the project was launched in March 2017 in 18 rural communities.
The goal of the project is to provide the community members with the necessary resources and skills to create competitive beekeeping farms.
The project’s second phase envisages expanding and increasing social investments, and the next phase will last until 2020.
The project is being implemented by local company – Puls-R.
The cost of the project’s pilot phase is about 400,000 manats and the cost of the second phase is 2.9 million manats.