President Aliyev receives WB regional director for South Caucasus
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received World Bank's Regional Director for the South Caucasus Mercy Tembon Feb. 6.
Tembon congratulated President Aliyev on the achievements and the successfully implemented reforms in the economic sphere in Azerbaijan.
Tembon noted that the organization she represents hails bilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan. She said that they have witnessed the fact that these achievements benefit people in Azerbaijan, adding that ensuring the diversification of economy and the achievement of economic development improve the welfare of the population.
The World Bank regional director also noted that the economic development of Azerbaijan creates a good opportunity for the employment of population and their involvement in various activities.
The president thanked for the warm words, underlining the economic development in Azerbaijan has yielded good results in recent years.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that this manifests itself both in the macroeconomic sphere, and in the development of real sector, and the non-oil sector.
The president pointed out that 177,000 permanent jobs were created in Azerbaijan last year, which is a record figure. Saying that non-oil sector grew by 3 percent, President Aliyev hailed the successful implementation of huge infrastructure projects in the country.
The president emphasized that all these economic achievements contribute to the sustainable development and ensuring public and political stability in Azerbaijan.
Saying that Azerbaijan's economic development is reflected in the reports of the Davos Economic Forum, President Aliyev hailed the fact that Azerbaijan has moved up two spots to rank 35th in the world for its economic competitiveness in 2017, and third among developing countries upon Inclusive Development Index.
Azerbaijan appoints another deputy minister of transport, communications and high technologies
Elmir Valizade was appointed deputy minister of transport, communications and high technologies upon Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's decree, dated Feb. 2.
Before the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies were merged, Valizade served as deputy minister of communications and high technologies.
Earlier, Ali Abdullayev was appointed first deputy minister of transport, communications and high technologies upon the presidential decree.
Ilham Aliyev: Non-oil sector expanding year by year, new workplaces opening in Azerbaijan
As a result of reforms, the volume of non-oil sector is increasing year by year, numerous workplaces are being opened in Azerbaijan, says the message of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev to participants of the 5th Congress of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation.
The congratulatory message was read out by Azerbaijani President's Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov.
The head of state congratulated the participants of the congress.
The message says that during the years of independence, trade unions have passed a long way of development, and play a big role in protecting social rights of citizens.
It was noted that the government highly appreciates the role of trade unions in regulating labor rights, addressing social issues. Conditions have been created for the unions to organize their work in line with the requirements of the modern period.
The message says that the done work has reduced the level of poverty and unemployment.
"The achieved success increases the role of trade unions, related to the protection of the social rights of the population and the growth of public solidarity," says the message.
The head of state stressed in his message that trade unions should expand their activities in organizations in various fields, to keep the focus on protection of workers' rights.
"I believe that this congress will make an important contribution to the activity of trade unions," added the Azerbaijani president.
New tax policy to be announced in Azerbaijan
Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan plans to announce a new state tax policy the next week, the ministry announced on Feb. 5.
Entrepreneurs, members of parliament, experts, representatives of state structures and public organizations and others will attend the event.
"Future directions of the tax policy, revisions to the state tax management, new work principles with entrepreneurs for tax authorities are planned to be talked about at the conference; other issues will be discussed and proposals of members of parliament and experts will be listened to as well," the announcement reads.
Mikayil Jabbarov was appointed as the Minister of Taxes of Azerbaijan in the early December 2017. The new minister had been planning to amend the tax policy and make it more favorable for entrepreneurs, a source in the government told Trend earlier. Possibility of implementation of certain tax concessions was spoken about as well.
Ilham Aliyev receives participants of 5th Congress of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received a delegation of international and foreign trade unions participating in the 5th Congress of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation.
President: Azerbaijan to become a transportation center in Eurasia
Azerbaijan, which has no access to open seas, will become one of the transportation centers in Eurasia, said Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.
He made the remarks addressing the 6th congress of the New Azerbaijan Party Feb. 8.
The head of state noted that Azerbaijan, a country that has no access to open seas, will become one of the transportation centers in Eurasia through implementing important, historical gas transportation projects in the coming years.
"We will do this thanks to our policy, commitment and foreign policy. Because foreign policy is primarily aimed at solving internal problems. Foreign policy is the continuation of domestic policy. We are pursuing a successful foreign policy not only for the purpose of increasing the sympathy for us in the world. It turns into real work. Successful foreign policy also creates conditions for implementing these international projects, because in order to become a transit country, you have to work with your neighbors," noted the president.
"No country can become a transit country without its neighbors. All these are interrelated issues. We have a very clear vision and programs on our future development: in all spheres - in public services, in the field of fighting against corruption, bribery, justice, and in all directions. Simply, it is impossible to speak extensively about all the aspects during one speech," said the head of state.
President Aliyev expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will not only keep its dynamic growth rate in the coming years, but will also further strengthen it.
Azerbaijan invites Chinese companies to investing
There are great opportunities for attracting Chinese investments to the non-oil sector of the Azerbaijani economy, Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, who is on a visit in China, said at the joint Azerbaijani-Chinese business forum in Beijing.
He said that there are 113 companies with Chinese capital operating in Azerbaijan in the construction, agriculture, communications, services, trade and other spheres.
Speaking at the event, the minister noted special importance that Azerbaijan attaches to the development of relations with China.
Mustafayev stressed that Azerbaijan is interested in developing relations with China in all spheres.
The minister noted that the trade turnover between China and Azerbaijan grew 43 percent to $1.2 billion in 2017. Export of Azerbaijani products to China grew 2.1 times, he added.
He stressed that the opening of Azerbaijan's trade representation in Beijing on Feb. 5 will play a significant role in increasing the trade turnover and expanding the investment cooperation.
Mustafayev reminded that three export delegations visited China in 2016 and 2017.
Azerbaijani products under the Made in Azerbaijan brand were presented at two exhibitions in China, and this year, Azerbaijani companies plan to take part in three more exhibitions in China, he added.
Negotiations are also underway to open the wine house of Azerbaijan in the Shanghai International Trade Center, he said.
The event also included a presentation on the nomination of Baku's candidacy for the EXPO 2025.
Following the forum, Azerbaijan's AS Group Investment company signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Camce Co Ltd.
Azerbaijan preparing strategy for civil service development
The "Civil Service Development Strategy for 2019-2025" will be prepared in Azerbaijan.
This is stipulated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's decree on application of the law "On Amending the Law on Civil Service", dated Dec. 29, 2017, and amending the president's decree "On Application of the Law on Civil Service, dated Dec. 29, 2000.
According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed within six months to prepare the draft "Civil Service Development Strategy for 2019-2025" taking into account international experience and submit it to the president.
When preparing the draft strategy, the following issues must be taken into account: institutional reforms in the civil service; personnel policy in the civil service; rotation in the civil service; application of the model of experience (competence) in the civil service to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of civil servants; ensuring continuous professional development of civil servants; information support for the civil service, including the development of an electronic public service; creation of a progressive incentive (motivational) system for civil servants.
Azerbaijan Railways, Chinese corporation ink memorandum
Azerbaijan Railways CJSC and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) have signed a memorandum, Azerbaijan Railways CJSC said in a message Feb. 6.
The document was signed as part of an international conference held in Beijing, dedicated to the role of the Trans-Caspian East-West international trade and transport corridor in implementation of the One Belt and One Road Initiative.
The conference was organized by the embassies of Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey on the initiative of Azerbaijan and with the support of the Ministry of Commerce of China. It was aimed at promoting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Minister of Commerce of China Wang Shouwen, Turkish Deputy Economy Minister Fatih Metin, Deputy Minister of Investments and Development of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Giorgi Cherkezishvili, as well as head of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov delivered speeches at the event.
Gurbanov presented information on the transport projects being implemented in Azerbaijan, the efficiency of the route and the advantages of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.
He also held a meeting with Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to discuss issues of rail transportation.
Azerbaijan’s Gabala named 2020 Islamic Tourism Capital
Azerbaijan's Gabala city was selected the Tourism Capital of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the OIC tweeted on Feb.6.
This was announced at the 10th Islamic ministerial conference on tourism held on Feb.6. Dacca (Bangladesh) was named the 2019 Tourism Capital and Gabala - the 2020 Tourism Capital of the OIC.
In 2016 the Tourism Capital of the Islamic world was Konya, in 2017 Madina and Tabriz - in 2018.
The Islamic trade fair should be staged in any of the two recipient cities as a means to further boost Islamic tourism activities, the OIC said earlier.
Azerbaijan Railways starts designing railway to connect Baku, Shahdag resort
Azerbaijan Railways CJSC has launched work on designing a railway that will connect Baku and the Shahdag Mountain Ski Resort, said the company's Chairman Javid Gurbanov at a press conference in Baku Feb. 9.
Repair work has already begun on the railway in the direction of Khachmaz district, he added.
"The whole section of the Baku-Yalama railway will be modernized, and electric trains will be used here. A branch will be built from Khudat station in the western direction through the Gusar district to the Shahdag ski resort. Work on designing has already begun," said Gurbanov.
The chairman added that it is planned to connect the ski resorts "Tufandag" and "Shahdag" through the railway and to construct tunnels in the future.
The Shahdag Mountain Ski Resort is located in Gusar district of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan Railways talks on opening of Baku-Gabala railway
The railway from Baku to Gabala may be ready until late 2019, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov told reporters in Baku Feb. 9.
He said that initially, a high-speed railway from Baku to Ganja will be commissioned.
"Then a railway from Laki station through Agdash district to Gabala airport will be built. Perhaps, it will be built by the end of 2019," said Gurbanov.