Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA-Economics. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has delivered keynote speech at the I World Economic Forum Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the South Caucasus and Central Asia (Davos Forum).
According to APA-Economics, expressing his gratitude to the participants, the head of state reminded that he took part in the Davos Forum 7 times. He noted that Baku Forum is of great importance in terms of informing the companies that are unaware of Azerbaijan: ‘Azerbaijan is independent for already 20 years. In the beginning of 90s, Azerbaijan was not in a good situation. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, we had problems, internal flurries, our lands were occupied by the Armenians’.
Speaking about the activities carried out in energy sector of Azerbaijan, President Aliyev underlined a number of reforms conducted in energy sphere: ‘This was a transition to market economy. At the beginning of those reforms, Azerbaijan was able to attract investors in the energy sector. Then we directed economic development from energy sector to non-energy sector. We started to invest in the economic and political reforms. And this process is still continued. We have an advantageous geographical position. We have created diversified supplies of hydrocarbons. We have 7 oil - and gas pipelines. We also support the transportation of hydrocarbon resources of our partners on the Caspian Sea’.
The president touched upon the reduction of poverty and one-digit inflation in the country. He noted that Azerbaijan's economy has tripled over the past decade: ‘Today, we invest in human capital. Investment in education allows us develop the economy through capable human capital. At the same time, development of ICT sector is ion the focus of attention. Azerbaijan has created a space industry and the country is among few members of the space club’.
The President said that nearly $130 billion was invested in the country in the past 10 years: ‘A certain part of this is foreign investment. This proves the stability of the country’.
Aliyev noted the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and TANAP for the region’s development. To him, TANAP will play an important role in the energy security of Europe at least for 100 years.
***
“Diversification is a priority for our government. In 2004-2009, we launched regional development program and it focused on the development of private sector. Non-oil sector growth was 10% last year. The diversification will continue in this direction.”
The President said that the gross domestic product must be doubled in the next 8-9 years: “We must reduce dependence on energy factor, improve agriculture and other sectors.”
Following this, answering the questions, President Aliyev said that the sovereignty is an undisputable criterion for Azerbaijan: “This is important and essential. Azerbaijan has been a part of other empires for centuries. Today Azerbaijan is not the one that existed 50 years ago. We have started to implement the majority of regional cooperation projects. We are in favor of integration, but are not going to reduce our sovereignty exceeding the limits.”
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
