Azernews.Az

A new system went into effect on Tuesday to improve business climate in Azerbaijan by simplifying registration procedures and removing hurdles in the way of entrepreneurial activity.
Under the "One window" system, businessmen will be able to launch operation in the country after being registered within just three days by a single government agency - the Ministry of Taxes - instead of the previous 15 bodies. The measure will allow entrepreneurs to save time, avoid interference and eliminate red tape.
Launching business activity previously required up to 60 days. With the new system in place, not hundreds of government workers but just 85 employees of the Taxes Ministry will deal with the registration of businesses.
The transition to up-to-date standards was implemented with the use of international experience, in particular, that of Latvia. The installation of the system has been vested in German, Dutch and Turkish companies.
Foreign experts say that the "One window" system will boost small enterprise and promote opening of jobs in Azerbaijan. 4 million manats (some $4.8 million) have been allocated from a presidential fund for the purpose.
The new regulations, reflected in President Ilham Aliyev's decree issued several months ago, represent the speediest registration procedure not only in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) but also in Europe. The measure eliminates all problems for entrepreneurs starting operation in the domestic market and increases foreign investors' interest in Azerbaijan.