Baku invites Iranians to invest in Azerbaijan
By Sara Rajabova
The Consul General of Azerbaijan to Iran's northwestern city of Tabriz has invited the Iranian businessmen to invest in Azerbaijani.
Ali Alizadeh said Azerbaijan's government offers loans and full support to investors who wish to bring their money to Iran.
"Every year, we direct the projects which can be implemented in Azerbaijan to the related institutions and organizations in Iran, and in the meantime, encourage the Azerbaijani investors to invest their capital in Iran, especially in the four provinces which we supervise (Eastern Azerbaijan, Western Azerbaijan, Ardebil and Gilan)," Alizadeh said in an interview with Iran's AVA Diplomatic news portal on June 2.
"Also, we urge the Iranian investors to take their money to Azerbaijan and work there as job creators and employers at the same professional level," Alizadeh added.
He went on to say that "The door of Azerbaijan's Consulate General is open to all interested Iranians to expand the ties between the Azerbaijan and Iran."
Alizadeh also noted that the Consulate issues visas for approximately 20 thousand Iranians annually.
Commenting on mutual relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, Alizadeh said: "Our relations with the new government in Iran are of a rather fine quality and during a short period of time, the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan met twice and exchanged views toward extended developmental aspects."
Iran and Azerbaijan have a lot in common, he said, adding that both share the same historical, religious, lingual and cultural backgrounds.
"We also own many spiritual commonalities. In the four years I have served as the consul general here, I have tried to implement a developmental approach to all four provinces under my office with Azerbaijan, and there have been lots of accomplishments," Alizadeh noted.
He also called for boosting mutual ties, saying "in cooperation with the four Iranian provinces, we have embarked on numerous projects, which, nonetheless, are not sufficient if you ask me. I believe such collaborations have to be elevated as much as possible."
The trade turnover between Tehran and Baku surpassed $514 million during the 12-month period from March 2013 to March 2014, Iran Customs Administration's annual report said.
It should be noted that Iran's fiscal year starts on March 21.
Iran's exports to Azerbaijan accounted for $482 million of the mentioned figure.
Azerbaijan and Iran have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.