A presentation ceremony of the Digital Trade Hub was held, jointly organized by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan (ASK).

Opening the event, CAERC Executive Director Vusal Gasimli stated that the Digital Trade Hub defines a qualitatively new role for Azerbaijan at the intersection of the North–South and East–West corridors: “Azerbaijan is effectively introducing the first digital trade hub in the Muslim and Turkic world. Best practices from the United Kingdom, Estonia, Malaysia, and other countries have been taken into account. As an integral part of the comprehensive economic reforms carried out under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev, the Digital Trade Hub carries regional significance.”

Subsequently, Zaur Gardashov, Head of the Azexport Portal, presented the electronic version of the Digital Trade Hub. He noted that by offering an electronic wallet and electronic signature services—including ASAN Signature—to non-residents, the Hub will further facilitate entrepreneurs’ engagement with foreign partners. In addition, non-residents will be able to establish companies in Azerbaijan, open bank accounts, and conduct import-export operations using electronic signatures, including ASAN Signature. The procedures for carrying out these operations electronically via the portal were presented to entrepreneurs.

Deputy Minister of Economy Sahil Babayev emphasized that the launch of the Digital Trade Hub is significant for expanding exports and attracting investment to Azerbaijan’s economy.

President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev stated that the Digital Trade Hub plays an important role in enabling entrepreneurs to access global markets and benefit from new technologies.

At the presentation ceremony, several promotional videos related to the Azexport Portal and the Digital Trade Hub were screened. One of them aimed to attract entrepreneurs to the Azexport Portal and was built around remarks previously made by President Ilham Aliyev regarding the portal, as well as the president's call to entrepreneurs. The video concretely illustrated the opportunities created by the state for entrepreneurs through the portal. Another video highlighted the essence of the Digital Trade Hub and the prospects it creates.

In another video prepared by CAERC, well-known figures—including Estonia’s Minister of Public Administration Mikhail Korb, a representative of Silicon Valley Ingrid Rosten, Sam Potolicchio from Georgetown University (USA), and Michael Harms, Executive Director of the German Eastern Business Association—shared their views and forecasts on the Digital Trade Hub. These opinions reflected the expectation that the Hub would soon evolve into an international project as envisaged.

The final video served as an image advertisement for the Azexport Portal. Prominent Azerbaijani intellectuals and cultural figures—Chingiz Abdullayev, Fakhriya Khalafova, Faig Aghayev, and Rahib Azari—promoted the portal. All of them act as “star ambassadors," representing Azexport both domestically and internationally. The video calls on every Azerbaijani entrepreneur to be represented on the portal, emphasizes that Azexport is an Azerbaijani brand, and showcases the best domestically produced goods. In this sense, Azexport is presented metaphorically as the face of Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, participants’ questions regarding the presentation were answered.

It should be noted that the Digital Trade Hub was established by a decree of President Ilham Aliyev titled “On Additional Measures to Strengthen the Position of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a Digital Trade Hub and to Expand Foreign Trade Operations,” and its operator is the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication.