Azerbaijani analysts talk on country’s improved position in WEF's ranking
Improving Azerbaijan's position in the World Economic Forum (WEF) competitiveness ranking is a high estimation of the country’s President Ilham Aliyev’s policy of comprehensive economic reforms by the international community, experts of the Azerbaijani Center for Economic Reforms Analysis and Communications said.
In the updated WEF’s Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, Azerbaijan improved its position having risen from 37th to 35th position compared to the previous rating.
According to the center, the monitoring results and evaluation of strategic road maps approved by the president on December 6, 2016 also testify that the systematic economic policy gives its positive results.
"Improving Azerbaijan's position in WEF’s competitiveness ranking testifies that Azerbaijan will be able to improve its positions in other ratings," the experts added.
According to the experts, Azerbaijan left every third country in the world behind and kept the highest position among the CIS countries.
"Even the G20 countries, namely, Russia, Italy, Indonesia, India, Turkey, South Africa, remained behind Azerbaijan in the competitiveness ranking," the analysts added.
Azerbaijan also achieved progress in two categories, namely, the cluster development and the competitive advantage.
Moreover, the Azerbaijani transport system ranked 43rd among 137 countries, while 17th in the efficient use of talent. By this indicator, Azerbaijan left Israel, Ireland, Belgium, Austria and Estonia behind.
Azerbaijan's position has worsened only in two categories, namely, the macroeconomic environment and technological readiness. At the same time, despite external shocks, the country was able to improve the position in the "state budget balance" category and rank 37th.
Azerbaijan also has strong 43rd position in the "state debt" category.
Improved WEF ranking to help Azerbaijan lure foreign investments
Improved position in the World Economic Forum (WEF) competitiveness ranking will help Azerbaijan attract investments from other countries, including the Arab countries, Chairman of the Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Arab Countries Association Elshan Rahimov told Trend commenting on a new WEF report.
In the updated WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, Azerbaijan’s position improved from 37th to 35th.
“Once investors from Arab countries showed great interest in Azerbaijan,” he said. “However, then they faced different problems and fraud. So, over time they lost their interest in Azerbaijan.”
Rahimov stressed that today the situation in Azerbaijan is completely different.
“Various laws aimed at protecting the rights of investors have been adopted in the country,” he said. “But unfortunately, not everyone knows about this. Some people still have such an opinion that it is difficult to transfer the money earned in Azerbaijan to other countries. This opinion does not reflect reality.
“The law fully protects investors. If they work without violating local laws, they will not face any problems in the country, including in money transfer abroad,” Rahimov said.
Rahimov added that one of the association’s activities is connected with enlightening Arab investors about doing business, laws and investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, as well as bringing new investments into the country.
