Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

Azerbaijan, which is keen on to overcome the economic difficulties caused by drop in oil prices on the world market, is taking necessary measures in this regard.

Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Bahar Muradova announced that the government is developing the necessary economic programs, adding that measures are being taken for the development of the non-oil sector.

"The Parliament has passed a number of important bills this week aimed at economic development and improvement of the social welfare of citizens," Muradova told Trend on January 22.

These measures are expected to help Azerbaijan to overcome the economic difficulties with less significant losses.

Another important measure towards improving the economic situation in the country and improving the doing business was cancellation of 22 types of licenses, and narrowing of a list of the licenses required for doing business in Azerbaijan from 59 to 37.

Such a decision was envisaged in a presidential decree dated December 21, 2015.

Also, in early October, licensing procedures for entrepreneurship were simplified, paving the way for encouraging business transparency in the country. Moreover, the number of inspections among entrepreneurs was also reduced for two years.

The simplification of the licensing procedure, decrease of their number, application of online license portals offering issuing licenses, reduced amount of duties, issuance of perpetual licenses, and most important - online issuance of licenses have allowed to get licenses without making any illegal payments and avoid illegal procedures.

Aydin Huseynov, the member of the Parliament, has urged the Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to be more active and take an advantage of improved business climate in the country.

"The issues related to the reduction of the tax burden have already been reflected in a legal manner, and inappropriate interventions are eliminated. Entrepreneurs should take maximum advantage of created conditions," he told Trend.

All implemented works will create conditions for further liberalization of economy and a more flexible operation of tax and customs systems in the country.

MP Kamran Nabizade believes that the creation of a flexible control mechanism is one of the important issues for today.

"Today we should pay attention to the work of state institutions and determine which ones are working effectively, and which ones are not. Naturally, the institutions with the same function should be either united or liquidated. Although there is a negative consequence of such a decision, such as job cuts, but with the development of entrepreneurship and the private sector, these people can be involved in this sector, and the elimination of unemployment can be achieved," he stressed.

The Economy and Industry Ministry issued 264 licenses to entrepreneurs through the ASAN service centers in 2015. Some 202 licenses were issued in Baku while 62 licenses - in Azerbaijan's regions. Some 19,000 licenses have been issued for entrepreneurs so far.

Currently, the cost of the state duty for a license varies between 220 manats ($141)-11,000 manats ($7,069) depending on the type of activity. No state duty is required for the reissuance or recovery of the license.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

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