A regional public discussion titled “Economic Reforms in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Prospects” was held in Ganja by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event was attended by more than 300 entrepreneurs, municipal representatives and members of the public from the Ganja-Gazakh economic region. Participants first visited the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers in front of it.

During the discussions, guests from Ganja, Naftalan, Aghstafa, Dashkasan, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goygol, Gazakh, Samukh, Shamkir and Tovuz were welcomed by Elnur Rzayev, First Deputy Head of the Ganja City Executive Authority.

Executive Director of CAERC Vusal Qasimli, acting as moderator of the event, spoke about the main purpose of the discussion and gave the floor to Elkhan Mikayilov, Sector Head of the Service of the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Economic Policy and Industry Issues.

Elkhan Mikayilov stated that in recent years deep economic reforms have been carried out in Azerbaijan. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Strategic Road Maps have been developed, a comprehensive action plan to improve the business environment has been prepared, and dozens of reforms have been implemented to ensure macroeconomic stability, enhance the business climate, introduce incentive and privilege mechanisms, improve social welfare, and strengthen the financial and banking system. He emphasized that during the preparation of official documents, the opinions and proposals of entrepreneurs in the regions were studied.

“As a result of the work carried out, macroeconomic stability was ensured in 2017, non-oil GDP increased by 2.8 percent, exports rose by up to 30 percent, foreign exchange reserves increased by 4.5 billion, and the positive balance of payments surplus reached 2 billion. The next year will already be remembered as a period of accelerated development in Azerbaijan,” he noted.

Vusal Qasimli added that for the rapid development of Azerbaijan, specific production areas are being created for each district of the regions. The Strategic Road Maps also reflect measures aimed at fully realizing the production potential of this region and increasing it along the value chain. He noted that the Ganja-Gazakh economic region ranks second in the country in terms of economic importance. Ganja, Gazakh and Aghstafa are major transport hubs, and the region lies on railway and highway routes connecting Azerbaijan with Georgia and the Black Sea coast. President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to the economic development of Ganja and surrounding districts.

Member of the Milli Majlis Musa Guliyev stated that in recent years economic and social development has been ensured at a high level, particularly in the regions. He emphasized that Azerbaijan’s rising international reputation and progress in global rankings once again confirm the correctness of the President’s policy. The diversified economic policy of Azerbaijan is yielding positive results.

Head of the Strategic Planning and Development Department of CAERC Ramil Huseyn delivered a presentation titled “Economic Reforms in the Republic of Azerbaijan: Development Prospects of the Ganja-Gazakh Economic Region.” He noted that 13.6 percent of the country’s population lives in this region and that the development of agriculture, industry and tourism remains in focus. The region has significant potential for tourism, mechanical engineering, and ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy alongside agriculture.

Representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Taxes and the Ministry of Agriculture also participated in the discussions. Sector Head of the Ministry of Economy Fariz Ahmadov delivered a presentation on “Supporting the Development of Entrepreneurship, Reforms to Improve the Business Environment and Results Achieved in the Ganja-Gazakh Region.”

Following the speeches, questions of interest to entrepreneurs, municipal representatives and members of the public were answered.

The regional public discussions on “Economic Reforms in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Prospects” are organized to inform a broader audience about the reform process, establish direct dialogue, enhance awareness and education, and strengthen public-private dialogue.

It should be noted that regional discussions on the economic reform process cover all regions of Azerbaijan.