Local companies to export hazelnuts to Switzerland
By Sara Israfilbayova
Azerbaijani companies have reached a preliminary agreement on export of hazelnut to Switzerland.
Azerbaijani Economy Ministry reported on June 27 that during the export mission to Switzerland, which is being held on June 25-29, a preliminary agreement was reached on the export of hazelnut with such companies as GN-company, Delica, and Varistor.
The parties agreed on the visit of representatives of Swiss companies to Azerbaijan, where they will meet with the hazelnut producers.
Hazelnut is one of the three main non-oil products that Azerbaijan exports. The country exported hazelnut worth $114.5 million in 2017.
Currently, 55,000 hectares are laid for hazelnuts in Azerbaijan, the government plans to increase the area to 80,000 hectares.
The export mission to Switzerland includes 12 local companies operating in the field of hazelnut production and selected on a competitive basis.
Azerbaijan, focusing widely on an export-led growth strategy, aims to expand the list of its foreign trade partners. This year the country plans to organize some five missions to increase awareness about the local production and promote “Made in Azerbaijan” brand.
Azerbaijan has already sent export missions to Qatar, Kazakhstan, Germany, Afghanistan, the UAE and Pakistan.
Development of the non-oil sector mainly depends on the export of non-oil products and the main goal is to expand access to new markets, besides traditional markets.
The volume of non-oil exports from Azerbaijan in the first quarter of 2018 amounted to $337.7 million, which is 33.2 percent more than the same period of 2017.
In total, in this period the country exported products worth $4.6 billion.
The strategic markets for Azerbaijan are also considered to be EU, the countries of the Persian Gulf, China, the CIS countries, Turkey and Russia.
Switzerland recognized Azerbaijan as an independent state on 23 December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two states were established on 21 January 1992.
Relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan are characterized by open dialogue and are based on several key areas including energy policy, cooperation in the international financial institutions and development cooperation.
Azerbaijan is Switzerland’s main trading partner in the South Caucasus. Switzerland mainly exports jewellery products (precious stones, precious metals), machinery, watches, and pharmaceuticals to Azerbaijan.
Several Swiss companies are implementing their activities in Azerbaijan. A Swiss company is involved in the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a project that will transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Italy via Georgia, Turkey, Greece and Albania by the end of the decade.
The Azerbaijani state-owned energy company SOCAR operates in Switzerland. On 1 July 2012, SOCAR Energy took over the ESSO Switzerland network of 160 petrol stations, which it operates under the SOCAR brand.
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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is
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