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Baku to host IX Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair

23 February 2010 10:27 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Nijat Mustafayev â€“ APA-Economics. The new season of international exhibitions in Azerbaijan starts in April. Iteca Caspian, the leading organizer of international exhibitions in the Caucasus region, plans to hold 16 exhibitions and two conferences in 2010.

The exhibition season will begin with Caspian Banking and Finance, the 6th Caspian International Banking and Finance Conference and Showcase, on 13-14 April in the Grand Hotel Europe. Over 200 delegates are expected to take part in the conference. The main topic of the conference will be the impact of the global economic crisis on the banking system of the Caspian region. The conference will also look at the prospects of regional monetary and capital markets as alternative and effective sources of raising capital for commercial banks and businesses. A separate session will focus on developing a future model for the regionâ€™s banking sector. This year, for the first time, the issue of alternative banking systems will be considered. One of the main topics of discussion on the second day of the conference will be the â€œThe effectiveness of Islamic banking principles during the crisis and the reasons for thisâ€. The conference participants will include important guests from the national banks, finance ministries, banking associations and other financial institutions of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and other countries. Key financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Black Sea Trade and Development Bank will also take part. Amongst the other participants will be representatives of banks, insurance companies, leasing companies, investment banks and consulting, legal and auditing firms.

The showcase, which will take place alongside the conference, will feature leading Azerbaijani banks and insurance companies, as well as companies providing services for banks. The exhibitors will include companies from Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and other countries. The exhibition will present the following sectors: banking and finance, insurance, leasing, investment, capital markets, consulting and audit. Visitors will be able to learn about new products and services, special offers, the lending terms of Azerbaijani banks, and get detailed consultations with bank representatives. The exhibition will not deprive the banks themselves of attention. BankTech, a special sector at the exhibition of particular interest to IT specialists, will present information systems for the financial sector, banking technology, banking software, ATMs, and much more.

The seasonâ€™s next event is AITF 2010, the 7th Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair, which will be held on 28-30 April in the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Exhibition Complex. The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This year, over 100 companies are expected to participate. As well as commercial companies, national stands, one of the main attractions of any travel exhibition, will feature prominently at AITF 2010, and include those of Greece, India, UAE, Malaysia and Egypt. For the first time, Turkey will act as the partner country of the AITF exhibition. As usual, it will also participate in the exhibition with a national stand, which is 40% larger than last year. Exotic destinations such as Thailand, the Seychelles and Mauritius will be widely presented. Swiss tour operators will present a huge selection of possibilities for different types of tourists. The Stavropol Region will have a stand at the exhibition for the first time, from which it will offer a range of health resort treatments. The stands of Azerbaijani companies make up 45% of the exhibition. The accompanying programme of business events will include seminars, presentations and prize raffles.

This year, for the first time, in connection with the showâ€™s annually increasing indicators, an audit of the exhibition will be conducted by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). For several years, exhibitions in Azerbaijan have undergone an annual audit, and â€˜UFI Approved Eventâ€™ status has been awarded to Caspian Oil & Gas, BakuBuild, World Food Azerbaijan, BIHE, BakuTel and AutoShow.

The organisers hope that the international exhibitions in Azerbaijan will not only be a place to demonstrate achievements in different industries, but a centre for sharing information, forming ideas and signing contracts.