BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 15. The Azerbaijan-Belarus Business Forum was held in Baku, Trend reports.
The forum was attended by Dmitry Pinevich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Deputy Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Tural Hajili, Deputy Director General for Foreign Economic Relations of the Minsk Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and head of the delegation “Presentation of the Export Potential of the Republic of Belarus” Irina Ivanova, and others.
Speaking at the event, Dmitry Pinevich noted that Belarus considers Azerbaijan a strategic partner in the field of industrial cooperation, the creation of joint ventures, and the exchange of business experience.
According to him, Belarus and Azerbaijan have established a solid foundation for further development of economic ties. The diplomat paid particular attention to industrial cooperation, which he called a key area of cooperation between the two countries.
"We see enormous opportunities for joint projects, especially in industrial production and infrastructure construction. Belarus is an export-oriented country, and half of our GDP is generated by foreign markets. Therefore, we are interested in systematic work with Azerbaijani businesses, the private sector, and state support structures," the ambassador noted.
He also emphasized the importance of state funds and mechanisms for supporting entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, which allow the state to participate in the capital of enterprises up to 30 percent with the possibility of exit in 5–7 years.
The diplomat also highlighted the large-scale infrastructure projects being implemented in Karabakh. According to him, the development of the region has become a symbol of Azerbaijan's strategic approach to the restoration of territories.
“I have been to Karabakh more than 20 times and can see how rapidly the region is changing. Cities are being revived, new jobs and social infrastructure are being created. This opens up new prospects for joint Belarusian-Azerbaijani initiatives,” Dmitry Pinevich said.
The ambassador expressed confidence that the “Made in Belarus” and “Made in Azerbaijan” brands are becoming symbols of quality, strengthening consumer confidence and contributing to the growth of mutual trade.
Tural Hajili, Deputy Executive Director of AZPROMO, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said that joint Belarusian-Azerbaijani projects in industry, agriculture, and construction are actively developing in Azerbaijan, which strengthens economic cooperation between the countries.
According to him, an agreement on the joint production and sale of elevators in Azerbaijan was signed in October last year.
“In the first stage this year, it is planned to assemble 200 elevators. Participants of the business forum were able to get acquainted with the joint venture at the Baku Build exhibition, where they had their own stand,” he said.
According to Tural Hajili, agriculture remains an important area of cooperation: the working group is promoting projects to increase mutual supplies of agricultural products and attract investment in the agricultural sector, including seed production, animal husbandry, and veterinary medicine.
"A project on complex mineral fertilizers is being implemented, and practical work has begun on the creation of joint production in accordance with the signed roadmap and budget.
Large-scale projects are being implemented in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions, and Karabakh has been declared a “green energy” zone.
Particular attention is being paid to renewable energy sources," he said.
He pointed out that tax breaks are in place to boost investment appeal: residents are exempt from income, property, and land taxes, as well as simplified taxes, for 10 years.
Tural Hajili recalled that the Aghdam Industrial Park, with modern infrastructure, created at the expense of the state, operates in the region, which reduces barriers to entry and accelerates the implementation of projects.
Active joint work on exports was also noted, which contributes to the further strengthening of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus.
The event also featured presentations by Emin Guliyev, senior specialist of the AZPROMO investor relations department, Amir Shirinbayli, deputy head of the secretariat of the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (KOBIA) Amir Shirinbeyli, and Roman Aleinikov, Head of the Investor Relations Department at the Great Stone Industrial Park.
Following the business forum, an agreement was signed between OJSC Rogachevsky MCC and FOODINI LLC for the supply of canned milk, butter, and dry milk products, as well as an agreement between OJSC Rogachevsky MCC and YAYLAQ LLC for the supply of butter and dry milk products.
