Developing industrial parks
By Nigar Orujova
Energy-rich Azerbaijan, which was forced to devalue its national currency for the second time during the year, now does its best to develop non-oil sector of the economy to diminish the side –effects of low oil prices.
Although the role of the oil and gas sector was leading in the speedy economical development for past 10 years, the non-oil sector has become important in Azerbaijan in the general economical growth during last years. The industry is one of the most developed areas in the country and the government is keen on using the high technology here.
Another industrial park is planned to be open in Ganja, the second largest city of Azerbaijan, said Samad Bashirli, the Head of the Industry Department at the Economy and Industry Ministry.
“Industrial parks have been created already in Sumgayit and Balakhani district of Baku, and this year we opened such parks in Mingachevir and Garadagh. Ganja Industrial Park, specializing in metallurgy, will be created in accordance with the state program,” said Bashirli.
First of all, a decree on establishment of the industrial park must be signed and only after that the relevant authorities are instructed to allocate it a territory and conduct infrastructure work, he noted.
“In accordance with the state program, these works will be carried out in the next two or three years,” said the department head.
Economy expert Ogtay Hagverdiyev believes that currently a strategic aim is to create such a powerful non-oil sector that will become an alternative to the oil sector and decrease the economic depending from one particular sector.
"This longstanding process will take more than 1-2 years. The most important thing is to see a strategic aim, which lays in the fact that dependence from one sector, as life has showed us, is not entirely secure," he told AzerNews.
The expert stressed that the industry should be science-driven. "We should create the most modern spheres."
One of the main field in this connection may be connected with oil as well, but not with extraction, Hagverdiyev belives.
"There is a tendency in decrease of oil extraction. However, it [production] will not stop entirely. For this reason, we have to process the crude oil, create a large petrochemical complex, and obtain modern rival products from this oil with a view to enter the world market. We should use oil as a raw material in the country," Haqverdiyev said.
The government put forward an idea stipulating the development of industrial districts and parks in the country. The Cabinet of Ministers also decided industrial districts in Azerbaijan will be managed by special organizations.
The first industrial district is expected to be open in Neftchala region as well. The district will contribute to development of the non-oil industry by creating commercial and processing enterprises to promote small and medium entrepreneurship.
Moreover, Azerbaijan plans to create favorable conditions for other countries to participate in the industrial parks, to increase investment in this promising sphere.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’ staff journalist. Follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
Follow us on Twitter: @AzerNewsAz