Azerbaijani exports gain “second wind” in 2017
By Trend
2017 was spent in Azerbaijan under the aegis of the revival of non-oil economy. During the year, the government took a big number of steps aimed at increasing both production and export of non-oil products. Promotion of the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand on foreign markets became one of the priorities of the country’s foreign economic policy.
The number of Azerbaijan trade partners increased from 165 to 186 countries.
Non-oil export of Azerbaijan amounted to almost $1.4 billion in 11 months of 2017, increasing by 22 percent during the year.
Export missions became one of the effective tools for expanding non-oil exports. Over the past year, Azerbaijan organized a number of different missions to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Germany, Qatar and other countries.
As a result of each export mission, organized by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and Ministry of Economy, various contracts were concluded or agreements were reached on future supplies. Thus, Azerbaijani entrepreneurs agreed to supply meat and milk products, honey, fruits, pomegranate juice, canned goods, mineral waters, wines, furniture and other products to foreign countries.
Special attention was also paid to the participation of Azerbaijani entrepreneurs at international exhibitions. Goods were presented under the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand at such big exhibitions as ANUGA, Worldfood Moscow, Prowein, Gulfood 2017.
Another tool created for the development of non-oil exports is the mechanism of expanding the exports. During the year, as part of this mechanism, which envisages the compensation of 3-6 percent of customs value of the exported goods, more than two million manats were returned to entrepreneurs.
Advertising of Azerbaijani products on foreign TV channels and in the media has also started since the end of last year. Azerbaijani products will also be sold in Duty Free shops of different airports, and agreements were concluded during the year with supermarket chains in Arab and European countries.
These are not all the measures that have been and will be taken in order to promote Azerbaijani products on foreign markets. It has been repeatedly noted that 2017 in many respects became preparatory for the development of economy in subsequent years.
In 2017, the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand began its expansion into the world markets and the first successful results give a chance that Azerbaijani products will be able to occupy a niche on store shelves in foreign countries.
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