Joint projects in tobacco production envisaged with Belarusian concern

17 May 2019 18:10 (UTC+04:00)

1 551

By Leman Mammadova

Azerbaijan implements important projects with its foreign partners to increase the industrial production and improve the quality of industrial products.

The Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation (AIC) and the Belarusian State Food Industry Concern (Belgospishcheprom) signed a protocol of intent on cooperation on May 16.

The protocol was signed on the sidelines of the WorldFood Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition and the 13th Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition, Caspian Agro, held in Baku on May 15-17. The director general of AIC Kamran Nabizade and the chairman of Belgospishcheprom concern Alexander Zabello signed the document.

The protocol envisages the export of tobacco products between Azertutun Agro-Industrial Complex and Grodno Tobacco Factory Neman (part of the Belgospishcheprom concern).

At the same time, it envisages the organization of reciprocal visits in June-July 2019, the exchange of experience, acquaintance with the process of manufacturing tobacco products at the Grodno tobacco factory as well as the implementation of joint projects for the production of tobacco products.

The Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation was represented by Azerpambiq LLC, Azertutun LLC, Azeripek LLC, Sheki Winery, and the Livestock Complex of the AIC at the WorldFood Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition and the 13th Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition, Caspian Agro.

AIC was established in November 2017 to increase the efficiency of state property management, to create favorable cooperation ties between enterprises that are under management, and to increase production potential.

Currently, AIC has 17 subsidiaries, covering various areas of the non-oil sector. The authorized capital of the company is 500 million manats ($294 million).

The main goal of AIC is to apply modern management standards, use modern technology at enterprises, manufacture products that meet consumer requirements, ensure the development of the non-oil sector and open new jobs.

Presently, Azertutun LLC agro-industrial complex has 236 tobacco curing chambers, warehouses and offices in Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh and Sheki regions, as well as four facilities for the production of dry tobacco with the necessary infrastructure and a tobacco processing plant in Zagatala region.

Thirty modern tobacco curing chambers are planned to be installed in Gakh and Sheki regions to increase the production of tobacco products. Moreover, an additional production line is planned to be installed at Azertutun to increase the range of tobacco products.

The government expects production to be worth $45 million in 2019 and to increase by 20 percent annually until 2022. According to the budget package for 2019, Azerbaijan is expected to produce 8,200 tons of tobacco this year, 9,500 tons in 2020, 12,000 tons in 2021 and 12,600 tons in 2022.

Last year, Azerbaijan exported tobacco worth $10 million, while imports amounted to $116 million.

---

Leman Mammadova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888