The Azerbaijan Competitiveness Forum 2018 was jointly organized by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and CAERC on September 6–7. The Forum brought together government officials from Azerbaijan and the United States, representatives of international organizations, and private sector participants. Key topics included Azerbaijan’s business environment, investment attraction measures, financial sector prospects, and issues related to energy, infrastructure, taxation, and agriculture.

The Forum was moderated by Jeffrey Donald, Vice President of BCIU, who emphasized the event’s importance for expanding international trade and business relations. The opening remarks were delivered by Yaqub Eyyubov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. Y. Eyyubov highlighted the country’s recent comprehensive reforms under President Ilham Aliyev, focusing on economic diversification, non-oil export growth, public-private partnerships, SME support, and creating a competitive and sustainable business environment.

Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of CAERC, stressed that Azerbaijan’s economic diversification, favorable business environment, macroeconomic stability, state support, and proximity to key markets provide an attractive setting for foreign investment. He noted that Azerbaijan has free trade agreements covering markets with a population of 270 million and a GDP of $1.6 trillion, and that the city of Baku ranks highly in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index. The country’s transport and logistics infrastructure along the North-South and East-West corridors further facilitates integration and economic growth.

Brian McFeeters, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Trade Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, spoke about the Forum’s objectives and encouraged U.S. companies to share their investment plans in Azerbaijan.

Panel discussions included sessions with ministers and senior officials, including:

• Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Taxes

• Inam Karimov, Minister of Agriculture

• Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy

• Samir Sharifov, Minister of Finance

• Ramin Guluzade, Minister of Transport, Communications, and High Technologies

• Elman Rustamov, Chairman of the Board, Central Bank of Azerbaijan

• Ibrahim Alishov, Executive Director, Financial Market Supervisory Authority

• Sahib Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Economy

International and local organizations participating included Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation, Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, High Technology Park, AmCham, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Herbalife, Motorola, P&G, and SkyPower Global, fostering dialogue on investment, innovation, job creation, and competitiveness enhancement.