Prof. Dr. Vusal Gasimli, the Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) welcomed Ivailo Izvorsky, Chief Economist for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, along with Program Manager Miquel Sanchez Martin and leading economists Roberto Jaef and Steve Loris Gui-Dibi.

During the meeting, Professor Gasimli highlighted the significant efforts undertaken in the management of state programs, the medium-term expenditure framework, and the implementation of the public investment program. He provided the guests with a comprehensive overview of the Monitoring and Evaluation Institute established at CERACC, emphasizing its data-driven, real-time assessment processes, which leverage digital platforms and artificial intelligence technologies.

Furthermore, Professor Gasimli underscored Azerbaijan’s strong economic performance, noting that the country's growth rate surpasses the global average. He also pointed out that Azerbaijan has received an investment-grade credit rating and ranks among the top three countries in the CIS in terms of creditworthiness. Additionally, he stated that the country’s net external creditor position exceeds 150% of GDP, while net state assets account for more than 70% of GDP. According to him, these indicators present substantial opportunities for attracting investment and fostering innovation.

In response, Ivailo Izvorsky and his colleagues provided an in-depth briefing on the key findings of the newly released World Development Report 2024: Middle-Income Trap. The meeting facilitated an exchange of views on the study’s outcomes and implications.

The discussion was also attended by Tarana Salifova, Advisor to the Executive Director of CAERC; Vusala Jafarova, Head of the Turkic World Research Center; Gunay Guliyeva, Head of the Economic Analysis Department; and Gultaj Ahmadzada-Tapdigzada, Senior Advisor to the Monitoring and Evaluation Department.