The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) continues its series of regional public discussions on “Economic Reforms in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Prospects”. The latest event took place at the Quba Youth Center, bringing together entrepreneurs, municipal officials, and community representatives from Quba, Khachmaz, Gusar, Siyazan, and Shabran. Prior to the discussion, participants paid tribute to National Leader Heydər Əliyev by laying flowers at his monument.

The discussion was opened by Yusif Abidov, First Deputy Head of the Quba District Executive Authority. Vüsal Qasımlı, Executive Director of CAERC, moderated the event and highlighted its objectives. The floor was then given to Elxan Mikayılov, Head of the Sector at the Presidential Administration’s Department for Economic Policy and Industry Affairs, who outlined the sustained nature of economic reforms in Azerbaijan. He emphasized that major reform efforts began during the leadership of Heydər Əliyev, including land reforms, privatization, transition to a market economy, and diversification of the economy. These initiatives have been successfully continued under President İlham Əliyev, with the 2015 drop in oil prices marking a new, more intensive phase of reforms.

Vüsal Qasımlı highlighted the role of reforms in the development of tourism, agriculture, and transport-logistics sectors in the Quba-Khachmaz region, noting that the area’s contribution to non-oil exports, such as tomato production, is significant. He stressed that government support through infrastructure development, favorable business environment, and export promotion tools like the Azexport portal has enhanced regional economic growth.

Following this, Namiq Şalbuzov, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at CAERC, presented on “Economic Reforms in Azerbaijan: Agricultural Development Prospects in the Quba-Khachmaz Economic Region”.

The discussion also featured presentations from Fariz Əhmədov, Sector Manager at the Ministry of Economy, Sərxan Məmmədov, Director of the 3rd Regional Tax Office, and regional representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture. Fariz Əhmədov highlighted the support for entrepreneurship and improvements in the business environment in the Quba-Khachmaz economic region.

At the end of the session, participants’ questions were addressed, reinforcing the dialogue between government, private sector, and local communities. Similar regional discussions have been held in Aghdam and Sheki, with upcoming events planned in Ismayilli, Ganja, Shirvan, Lankaran, and Mingachevir.

These public discussions aim to inform wider audiences about ongoing economic reforms, facilitate direct dialogue, enhance awareness, and strengthen public-private cooperation.