In countries where most of the world’s GDP is generated, people are forced to remain under quarantine, which prevents them from continuing their traditional and business activities. Azerbaijan offers a practical solution to this problem by enabling people to manage and conduct their business remotely.

Nijat Asadli, Manager of the Digital Trade Hub at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, states that Azerbaijan is one of only two countries in the world that offer Mobile Residency (hereinafter referred to as m-Residency). The m-Residency program, provided through the Digital Trade Hub, is a public-private partnership project that allows individuals to access numerous electronic services remotely, regardless of their location. The program enables users to establish a company and open a bank account in Azerbaijan, appoint an address and a local representative, officially hire employees, benefit from tax incentives, and access many other services from anywhere in the world.

In the current period of restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has dealt a major blow to business and tourism both domestically and globally, the importance of this service becomes especially evident. The Mobile Residency program serves as an antidote to the potential slowdown in foreign investment inflows caused by both the pandemic and the sharp decline in oil prices.

The Digital Trade Hub was established based on a decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, aimed at strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a Digital Trade Hub and enhancing foreign trade operations.

Throughout its operation, the Hub has provided both resident and non-resident individuals with various digital solutions by applying the most modern, secure, and fast technologies. Among these services, the electronic and mobile residency offering holds particular significance, as it is the first such service in the world after Estonia.

Applications for electronic and mobile residency have already been submitted from many countries, including Russia, Turkey, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Greece, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, India, Pakistan, and others. This clearly demonstrates the strong global interest in the program. The number of applications continues to grow steadily.

According to N. Asadli, given the current unfavorable conditions such as the pandemic, global economic slowdown, and sharp decline in oil prices, demand for the mobile residency service and other services of the Digital Trade Hub is expected to increase further. To ensure more coordinated and efficient implementation of the decree, the Azerbaijan Digital Trade Hub Consortium was established on the initiative of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication.

The Azerbaijan Digital Trade Hub Consortium is a public-private partnership created to develop digital infrastructure and a cross-border e-commerce platform in Azerbaijan and to strengthen the country’s position at both regional and global levels.

Nijat Asadli also noted that foreigners who obtain Mobile Residency, as well as Azerbaijani citizens living abroad, can freely benefit from other projects operated by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication. One such project is Azexport.az, established by a presidential decree and integrated with the world’s most popular online sales platforms. Foreign business partners can place orders for Azerbaijani products online without any restrictions and make use of transportation and logistics services.

The EnterpriseAzerbaijan portal is also a convenient online platform for hosting innovative projects, presenting them to investors, and securing financing.

In conclusion, the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic do not affect digital and remote business operations.