Azernews.Az

BAKU – The US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce will host a major business and investment conference in Baku on June 3.

The conference, titled "Business Opportunities for America and Azerbaijan", will bring together top business leaders from the United States and Azerbaijan, the USACC’s head office in Washington said.

The conference comes as Azerbaijan’s economy continues its path of vigorous growth. Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings both recently raised their investment ratings for Azerbaijan. Growth and development throughout the country in areas such as infrastructure, transportation, construction, IT and telecommunications, banking, and alternative energy, all present unique opportunities for American and Azerbaijani companies alike, USACC said.

It also said the numbers illustrate Azerbaijan’s "rapid and exciting pace". Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector grew 5.9 percent in 2010; the country’s trade surplus reached more than $12 billion; exports rose to more than $21 billion, an increase of 45.1% compared with 2009, while imports rose to $6.6 billion; and in spite of the world financial crisis, Azerbaijan’s GDP in 2009 grew 9.3%.

"This is an exciting time in Azerbaijan’s history, and one that calls for a conference with specific outcomes," said Mahir Iskender, USACC’s Executive Director. "We aim to help forge real, tangible business connections, and to explore new partnerships. This event will be singularly focused on actionable business intelligence and high-level contacts that can result in promising new business ties between the United States and Azerbaijan."

The conference consists of six major sessions covering topics to include a look beyond oil exports; tourism; IT and telecommunications; investment and untapped sources of American capital; new energy realities of Azerbaijan; and franchising opportunities.

The gathering is made possible with the sponsorship of the International Bank of Azerbaijan, Azercell, Chevron and BP.

USACC is a Washington-based non-profit organization that seeks to promote trade and investments between the United States and Azerbaijan by rendering various business services. USACC actively seeks U.S. and international investments and companies whose products and strategic interests can be advanced in the Azerbaijani market. It also serves as a liaison between foreign companies and Azerbaijani businesses and government officials.