Azernews.Az

President Ilham Aliyev said Friday that state bodies’ interference with entrepreneurial activity must come to an end.
Addressing a conference in Baku devoted to the state program on socio-economic development of Azerbaijani regions, President Aliyev said, further, that Azerbaijan’s economic potential is continuously expanding, saying state support to businessmen should be increased and baseless interference with their work stopped.
"Executive bodies should assist entrepreneurs, not meddle in their work. Government agencies have to discontinue out-of-place check-ups. There is no need for this, scalable work has already been done in the area of economic reforms in Azerbaijan and we have managed to achieve transparency. This being said, out-of-place check-ups and interference are groundless and must stop. Certainly, entrepreneurs must honorably pay their dues before the state and people, pay taxes in due time."
President Aliyev went on to say that the year 2009, which saw a world financial crisis, was challenging for Azerbaijani businessmen as well, pledging that every effort will be made to mitigate this impact, including by further allocation of subsidies and concessions to farmers.
"There will be no financial problems with implementing the projects scheduled for 2010. Sources of funding are available for this and the money will be allocated in due time," Aliyev said.
Stressing that Azerbaijan is the world’s fastest-growing economy, the Azerbaijani leader highlighted the accomplishments made in the first year of the rural development program and outlined further goals.
Aliyev also said Azerbaijan will fully meet its domestic demand for basic foods in the coming years.
"In previous years, basic foods were being delivered to Azerbaijan. Today, we can provide ourselves with these goods. In just two to three years, we will meet our needs, we can say, to 100 percent. What will happen next? We have to look for new markets. There are conventional markets, and our international and foreign policies are securing those markets for us. But we have to seek new markets, and access European markets with quality goods, with compliant standards," the president said.
He noted that the increasing economic potential is boosting the country’s military power.
"Extensive work is underway in military build-up and our army is modernizing. An army industry, a defense industry have been established, and considerable funds allotted, and, to meet these goals, much attention is being paid to resolving economic and social issues. The stronger we are, the more powerful our say and our positions will be internationally. As our international positions strengthen, we will accomplish what we desire in all issues of our concern," Aliyev said.*