Ali Hasanov: Azerbaijan's long-term strategy envisages new development stage
Political crisis observed in some parts of the world, worsening
of confrontation between various poles, numerous conflicts from
Syria to Ukraine and active participation of global forces in them,
relate to a number of factors that cause the deepening of the
global crisis, Azerbaijani president’s aide for public and
political affairs Ali Hasanov said in an interview with Trend,
AzerTac and APA news agencies.
“Therefore, when talking about the crisis, which is observed today
in the global economy, it is necessary to take three reasons as a
basis, namely: reduction of global economy, existence of man-made
factors affecting the price of energy resources and political
cataclysms,” he said.
“I am confident that in the current period of sharp fall of energy
resources, Azerbaijan's strong financial and economic potential,
efforts of the head of state and big opportunities of the
government for maneuvering, will allow to soften the negative
background, minimize the negative impact of the global crisis,” he
said.
Ali Hasanov also touched upon the need for devaluation and
transition to a floating exchange rate of the manat in Azerbaijan.
He noted that this was necessary. At the same time, he said that
the current exchange rate is fair, and now cheapening of the manat
doesn’t seem to be convincing.
He went on to add that in the conditions of deep economic crisis,
which has been going on throughout the whole world for a long time,
Azerbaijan managed to keep the stable exchange rate of the manat
and to ensure macroeconomic stability.
Hasanov added that it happened due to great importance devoted by
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev to social sphere, continuous
improvement of people's welfare.
However, as Hasanov said, not only Azerbaijan, but none of the
world countries, no serious financial and economic structure,
predicted that prices for energy resources could decrease this
much. At the same time, he said that it would be wrong to regard
devaluation only as a negative phenomenon.
“International practice, experience of individual countries show
that if at first, devaluation causes concern, leading to emergence
of excitement among the population, at a later stage, it may become
an impetus to the dynamic development of economy, as well as
financial and banking system of the country,” Hasanov said. “On the
other hand, the devaluation has expanded the possibilities for
maneuvering of the Azerbaijani government, created an opportunity
for the adoption of additional measures in the social sphere.”
He went on to add that at the conference dedicated to the results
of the second year of implementation of “State program on
socio-economic development of districts of Azerbaijan Republic in
2014-2018”, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev once again analyzed
the current situation and future work, as well as set new
challenges.
Ali Hasanov said that in short term, it was stated about the
adoption of flexible measures in order to prevent a decline in the
non-oil sector of economy and production, stop the dollarization
process with the establishment of balance on the financial market,
restore of public confidence in national currency, raise material
welfare of citizens and curb artificial hike in prices.
He said that the strategy to be implemented in the long term,
envisages Azerbaijan’s entering a new stage of development based on
the existing basis, taking into account international experience
and covering all aspects of society's life.
Hasanov said that the development of transport and transit
opportunities of Azerbaijan and the country’s turning into a
transit center of the region are provided for the post-oil period
and are a transnational project, which is being implemented very
successfully.
“Azerbaijan has the potential, which unites individual regions in
the sphere of export of energy resources," Hasanov said. “Our
export capabilities fully allow to do this. I think that after the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and TANAP projects are implemented, these
opportunities will expand even more. The supply of cargo, energy
resources from other regions through Azerbaijan to European markets
and in the opposite direction will be further expanded as
well.”
Coming back to the situation that arose immediately after the
devaluation, Ali Hasanov also touched upon the issue of protests
that took place in different districts of the country starting from
January 12.
He went on to add that in previous years, there were also attempts
to organize local protests, using any event for that purpose, and
then carry out similar protests throughout the whole country.
“Speaking in political terms, this can be described as an attempt
of certain forces 'to probe the pulse of society',” he said. “Both
organizers and participants of this process are known. It is clear
that activists of some local opposition parties tried to organize
protest actions in these districts.”
“Moreover, an attempt was made so that it would look as “the
people’s discontent with government's policy,” and that’s why they
“express their protest,”” he said.
“In fact, these “actions” involved a few people, and most of them
were members and activists of opposition parties. It is possible
that some ordinary people joined these "actions", under the impact
of devaluation's psychological pressure."
"But it is a totally wrong way to present this as "dissatisfaction"
and "protest" of the people," said Hasanov. “That’s because
extensive preventive measures immediately taken by the government
to eliminate the negative effects of devaluation expelled all the
scenarios that could lead to severe anxiety.”
Ali Hasanov also said that the working group established at the
request of the president of Azerbaijan at the Ministry of Labor and
Social Protection of the Population of the country, which included
representatives from 21 public authorities and structures, prepares
a new Concept of employment.
“While Azerbaijani state and the president attach very big
significance to this issue, private sector also must contribute to
the further growth of employment,” Hasanov said. “Banks,
businessmen, if possible, should also make new investments in the
economy of the country, contribute to even more rapid development
of the priority spheres of the non-oil sector.”
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