Azerbaijan to appoint its first trade rep to Russia
By Nigar Abbasova
Azerbaijan will appoint its first trade representative to Russia, which ranks the second among the country’s foreign trade partners.
Deputy economy minister Sahil Babayev said that the decision is logical as Russia is one of the main foreign trade partners of Azerbaijan.
“We will further consider the issue of appointing trade representative to such countries as China and the UAE,” he added.
President Ilham Aliyev signed a relevant decree on January 26, and endorsed the economy minister to appoint trade representatives to the country’s diplomatic missions abroad.
Trade representatives will take measures to expand Azerbaijan`s economic and trade relations with foreign countries, protect economic interests of Azerbaijan, increase export of Azerbaijani goods and services, promote Azerbaijan’s business environment and investment opportunities.
Moreover, the country seeks to open trade houses in foreign countries to facilitate the export process, promote an export of competitive Azerbaijani production and enable the countries to expand trade operations.
Babayev, addressing a meeting with members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), said that appointment of trade representatives, along with the creation of trade houses, is aimed at the promotion of Azerbaijani output abroad.
In the first quarter of 2017, Azerbaijan is expected to open a trade house in Belarus. Besides, analogous house are also expected to be opened in Ukraine, while trade representative will be also appointed to Russia, UAE and China other countries.
Babayev went on saying that the main priority of the country is diversification and strengthening of its export potential.
“We want our export to be diversified and not depending on a single product and we possess capability required to reach the objective.”
The country outputs more than 250 kinds of home-made products in food, light, heavy and construction industries.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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