Azerbaijan developing new regional development program
By Nigar Orujova
A new state regional development program for 2014-2018 is being prepared in Azerbaijan, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Niyazi Safarov said at a meeting dedicated to the fulfillment of the Azerbaijani President's instructions on the development of the country's regions in Neftchala, 176 kilometers from the capital Baku, on Tuesday.
The program is being developed based on the suggestions of local and central executive authorities, Safarov said.
According to the deputy minister, President Ilham Aliyev, in his speech at the conference on the results of the fourth year of implementing the state program for social and economic development of the regions, cited a number of priorities, such as realization of infrastructure projects, including overhaul and construction of rural roads; water supply and sanitation improvement projects; installation of water purification facilities along rivers in rural areas; amelioration work; and further construction of water reservoirs. The President also referred to improving gas and electricity supplies; wide use of alternative energy sources; construction of small hydropower plants; as well as creating modern cattle-breeding and milk farms.
According to Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev, the achieved stable economic development in Azerbaijan has created conditions for further improvement of the population's living standards.
In 2009-2012, public investments totaling 14.5 billion manats (over $18.4 billion) were directed to regional development. This year, 77 percent of the total capital investments or 5.3 billion manats was allocated for the development of the regions.
Two hydro-power plants were commissioned; 29 substations as well as 3,570 miles of transmission lines were repaired in 2012 to provide regions with uninterrupted and quality supply of electricity.