“We should train specialists on export”

“Products to be exported should meet the international standards. Otherwise, they will have not export perspectives”, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the republican conference of non-oil exporters in Yevlakh.

President noted that Azerbaijan-based labs should have international accreditation and this issue must be solved soon: “Certificates issued for Azerbaijan-produced products must be recognized by foreign countries. Staff training should be in the focus. We must train specialists on export. Generally, the staff training is one of the main issues lying ahead. Because, the country develops, new enterprises are established and these enterprises need trained personnel. Especially, staff training in export-oriented enterprises attaches great importance”.

The head of state also noted that export procedures need to be simplified: “Steps are taken in this direction. There are not any artificial obstacles for export. However, at the same time, both institutional measures should be taken and all relevant state bodies must make efforts to stimulate and facilitate the export”.

***
"Azerbaijan may create big fishing industry"

“Fishery in Azerbaijan has great potential”, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the republican conference of non-oil exporters in Yevlakh.

“Unfortunately, this field was also out of attention in previous years. there are many fishes in our rivers and the Caspian Sea. We increase fishes, and big fishing industry may be created in Azerbaijan. This may meet domestic demand and have export potential”, he said.

***

"There is good investment climate in Azerbaijan"

There is a good investment climate in Azerbaijan, said Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

Azerbaijan attracted over $200 billion foreign investment in recent years, said President Aliyev addressing a republican conference of non-oil exporters in the country’s Yevlakh district April 17.

“In general, the investment climate in Azerbaijan is very positive. Influential international organizations highly appreciate our work,” said the president, stressing that Azerbaijan ranked 37th in the Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017, prepared by the World Economic Forum.

“We have made three steps forward during the year. In other words, the economic liberalization, in-depth reforms and a favorable investment climate in Azerbaijan, as well as the fact that the country is in the forefront of foreign direct investment per capita in the CIS space create additional conditions for attracting foreign and domestic investors.

President Aliyev urged local executive authorities to pay special attention to this issue.

“The evaluation of local executive authorities’ activities will further be based on the volume of investments made in the relevant regions. Local executive authorities should organize this work together with central executive authorities,” he added.

***

Azerbaijani president names products causing currency flow to Azerbaijan in 2016

Azerbaijani president has named the products which caused currency flow to Azerbaijan in 2016.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the republican conference of non-oil exporters in Yevlakh that hazelnut export amounted to $105 million.

“Hazelnut-growing develops rapidly. We created 15,000 hectares hazelnut orchards. As well as sericulture. We produced 70 tonnes of silkworm last year, while it was 200 kg in 2015. It will be 100 tonnes this year. Hazelnut is grown in our region, but 46 regions have potential. I think we can double production and export of hazelnut. We can easily increase that 105 million to 200 million. At the same time, we started to create almond orchards. We have only 1,000 hectares of almond orchards, of which 900 hectares are in Nakhchivan. However, Baku, Absheron peninsula are useful for almonds. I recommend this to the entrepreneurs. As to growing of olive and sugar beet, we must meet ourselves with olive oil. We have not achieved it yet. We export, but domestic demand is not met. As to sugar beet, we must get the sugar from the sugar beet. There is a great potential. So, the first place is held by hazelnut, the second – by tomato. Tomato export amounted to $94 million in 2016. The third place was held by date - $68 million, fourth place by sugar - $62 million. We major part of these sugars was produced by cane-sugar. That’s we imported raw material to produce sugar. Now, when we switch to beet, all $62 million will remain in our country. I think we can easily double sugar production either in plant in Imishli or other plant may be built”, he stressed.

The head of state noted that the fifth place was held by cotton: “We earned $24 million from cotton last year. I’m sure that this figure will be higher this year. Totally, we earned $350 million from these five products last year. By doubling thee products, we can get more currency. Moreover, there are industry, food and agricultural products. At the second part of the conference, representatives of the state bodies will answer the questions of entrepreneurs and give detailed explanation about these issues”.

***

"Azerbaijan to earn billions of currency from development of tourism"

“We must see tourism as an export sector. What does tourism give us? Currency. What does export give us? Currency. We’ll earn billions of currency from development of the tourism, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the republican conference of non-oil exporters in Yevlakh.

He noted that according to calculations of Davos World Economic Forum, the country where tourism is quickly developing is Azerbaijan: “These are results of our policy. Modern tourism infrastructure should be developed in the regions. I also invite the entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs should know that there will be need large hotels. Because, now, in winter 85-90% of Baku-based hotels are full. Can you think what will happen in the summer? Therefore, new hotels should be built in Baku and our tourism centers. This will be effective for business”.

***

"Azerbaijan to allocate loans for fields with low production"

Azerbaijan will allocate loans for fields with low production, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the republican conference of non-oil exporters in Yevlakh.

Speaking about Azerport portal, the president said that the portal should be provided with comprehensive data: “Entrepreneurs should enter information about themselves and regularly get information what is needed and what orders are posted on this portal. Because we already see its results. A number of contracts about the activity of the portal have already been signed. However, what do we see at the same time? Sometimes, we get order but don’t have products to export. Therefore, this portal does not only aim that we export our product, while this is the first duty. At the same time, this portal will give us information about what regions need what product but Azerbaijan cannot produce this product sufficiently. So, the state will allocate loans for that field via the National Entrepreneurship Support Fund. The entrepreneurs will find that if they product that product, it will have market. Therefore, all Azerbaijani companies should enter information about their products in the portal and follow tha portal. Of course, the state bodies should regularly monitor. Demand will stimulate the supply”.

***
"Trade houses should be created in Gulf countries"

Azerbaijan will create trade houses in many countries. The first trade houses will be created in Belarus in the coming weeks. Such houses are planned to be created in other post-Soviet countries – Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the republican conference of non-oil exporters in Yevlakh.

The head of state noted that this will promote our country and create opportunities for exporters: “Along with this, we must have trade houses in big Asian countries. Now, Gulf countries are interested in our products. Actually, this interest is caused by our activity. Because, we could establish relations with Gulf countries and achieved export of Azerbaijani products to those countries. They are particularly interested in our agricultural products and the Gulf countries have big consumption markets. They import many of products, which we produce, from abroad. Therefore, we must access to these markets. Therefore, trade houses must be created in the Gulf counties”.

More about: #IlhamAliyev