The December 2018 issue of the “Export Review” was presented by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC). According to the report, Azerbaijan’s total exports from January to November 2018 amounted to USD 17.9 billion, with non-oil sector exports reaching USD 1.532 billion. Compared to the same period in 2017, non-oil sector exports increased by USD 145 million, or 10.5%. During January–November 2018, non-oil sector goods were exported to Russia (USD 555.4 million), Turkey (USD 321.3 million), Switzerland (USD 123.3 million), Georgia (USD 117.1 million), and Kazakhstan (USD 41.1 million).

Compared to the same period last year, non-oil exports grew by 12% to Russia, 22% to Turkey, and 42% to Kazakhstan, while exports to Switzerland and Georgia decreased by 8% and 3%, respectively.

Among non-oil goods exported between January and November 2018, tomatoes led with USD 162.2 million, followed by unprocessed gold (excluding coins, USD 107.2 million), and dates (USD 89.1 million). Overall, non-oil sector exports included fruit and vegetables (USD 495 million), plastics and related products (USD 110.3 million), aluminum and related products (USD 106.6 million), electricity (USD 65 million), ferrous metals and related products (USD 78.9 million), cotton fiber (USD 70.9 million), chemical industry products (USD 73.3 million), and cotton yarn (USD 21.3 million). Compared to the same period in 2017, cotton fiber exports increased 2.5 times, electricity exports by 58%, cotton yarn by 44%, plastics and related products by 25%, fruit and vegetables by 9%, ferrous metals and related products by 7%, and chemical industry products by 1%.

In November 2018, non-oil sector exports amounted to USD 181 million. The leading destinations were Russia (USD 88.4 million), followed by Turkey (USD 27.5 million), Georgia (USD 10.6 million), Switzerland (USD 8.9 million), Ukraine (USD 7.8 million), among others. The top exported non-oil goods in November were dates (USD 45.2 million), shelled hazelnuts (USD 14.5 million), and tomatoes (USD 12.3 million).

The December issue also included rankings of key non-oil sector exporters. Among non-state companies for January–November 2018, the top ten included: Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited (Azerbaijan representative office), MKT Production Commerce LLC, Baku Steel Company LLC, Kapitan Fruits LLC, Azfruittrade LLC, Food Export Shamkir LLC, Sun Food LLC, Gala Fruit & Vegetable Export-Import LLC, Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union LLC, and TST Export LLC.

State-owned companies leading non-oil sector exports were headed by SOCAR’s Marketing and Economic Operations Department, followed by Det-al Aluminum LLC, Azerenergy JSC, SOCAR Methanol LLC, Azergold CJSC, Azerbaijan Airlines JSC, CTS-Agro LLC, Food Products Supply and Provision JSC, Geophysics and Geology Department, and the State Energy Service of Nakhchivan AR.

Service exports were also highlighted. From January to November 2018, Azercosmos JSC exported services (satellite telecommunications and optical satellite services) worth USD 24 million to 24 countries. Revenue from these services accounted for 88% of Azercosmos’ total revenue. In November 2018 alone, Azercosmos exported services worth USD 1.6 million to 15 countries, including France, Malaysia, the UAE, Germany, and Georgia.

Visitor statistics in the December issue showed that from January to November 2018, Azerbaijan received 2,633,500 foreign and stateless visitors from 195 countries, a 6.1% increase compared to the same period in 2017. Among them, 31.1% were from Russia, 20.9% from Georgia, 10.1% from Turkey, 8.6% from Iran, 3.1% from the UAE, 2.7% from Saudi Arabia, 2.4% from Iraq, 2% from Ukraine, 1.5% from Israel, 17.5% from other countries, and 0.1% stateless. Monthly distribution percentages were also provided.

Expenditures by foreign visitors via bank cards showed an increasing trend. From January to November 2018, transactions totaled AZN 1,195.5 million, up AZN 252 million (27%) compared to the same period in 2017. In November 2018 alone, foreign visitors’ bank card transactions amounted to AZN 76.2 million, a 6% increase compared to November 2017.

The report also provided detailed information on export orders received via the Azexport.az portal. From January to November 2018, orders worth USD 479 million were registered, an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2017. November 2018 orders amounted to USD 46 million. The top five countries for export orders over these 11 months were Russia (17.4%), the USA (8.5%), Turkey (5.5%), Ukraine (4.4%), and India (4.4%).

Top products ordered in November included cucumber, tomato, onion, carrot, hazelnut, cotton, cotton oil, honey, wine, tobacco, pomegranate juice, mushrooms, pomegranate, potato, wool, tea, silk carpet, canned vegetables, engine oil, butter, construction materials, furniture sets, metal products, chocolate spread, saffron, fruit juice, dried dates, cabbage, feijoa jam, medical gauze, mineral water, and others. Overall, from January 2017 to 30 November 2018, Azexport.az received export orders from 111 countries totaling USD 954 million.

The December issue also covered the activities of the “Single Window” Export Support Center. In November 2018, the Center issued required export certificates to individuals and companies under the single-window principle. Exports processed through the Center in December reached USD 11 million (as of 27 December). Certified products were exported to Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Poland, Iran, Germany, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Israel, the USA, Spain, China, Australia, Qatar, and other countries. Currently, the Center documents 10% of Azerbaijan’s non-oil exports.

Information on the “Support for Export 2019” project and the opening of the “Azerbaijan Trade House” in Poland, along with export promotion payments for exporters, were also included.

The purpose of the “Export Review” is to inform entrepreneurs about exports, enhance the opportunities of local goods in traditional and new markets, and accelerate integration into international markets.

The “Export Review” can be accessed in the Reviews section of www.iqtisadiislahat.org.