President meets corporate bigwigs in Davos to encourage investment, know-how into Azerbaijan
By Qabil Ashurov
President Ilham Aliyev has been holding high-level meetings with corporate bigwigs in Davos to discuss relations with the world's leading companies to chart a course toward bringing global know-how to Azerbaijan for the sake of restoration of the war-ravaged by Armenia Karabakh.
Ilham Aliyev's presence at the Davos Economic Forum indicates the importance of Azerbaijan and its growing reputation and role in the world. The forum bodes well for the Azerbaijani economy by bringing business, financial, technical, management, marketing, and manufacturing know-how, to name but a few.
At the meeting with Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group, the Azerbaijani president drew attention to the increase in cargo transportation through the country to the tune of 75 percent, and Azerbaijan's strategy to increase the number of new tankers, dry cargo ships, and ferries to cope with growing demands.
Besides, the two men touched on the possibility of manufacturing various vessels for the Azerbaijani navy.
At the meeting with Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer of CISCO, the digitalization project in Azerbaijani schools was discussed. President Ilham Aliyev noted that the Smart City and Smart Village projects have been successfully implemented in Zangilan District, adding that these activities are also planned to be carried out in other territories liberated from occupation.
In addition, CISCO technologies in water resources management and prospects for cooperation in the education and cybersecurity sectors were discussed.
At the meeting with Andrew Forrest, CEO of Fortescue Future Industries, the importance of an “Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary” in Bucharest and the export of electricity produced in Azerbaijan to European markets were stressed.
The president added that the memorandums of understanding and agreements signed by Azerbaijan with international energy companies will enable the country to produce up to 22,000 megawatts of wind and solar energy. It was emphasized that the production of 12,000 megawatts of that energy is planned to be carried out by SOCAR and Fortescue Future Industries.
At the meeting with Jared Cohen, President of Global Affairs and co-head of the Office of Applied Innovation at Goldman Sachs, the successful continuation of cooperation of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. with the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Fund was emphasized.
At the meeting with Rafic Hanbali, Chief Executive Officer of Kromatix SA, the activities and products of Kromatix SA, as well as the energy production with the application of new technologies in Azerbaijan were discussed.
Rafic Hanbali informed the president about the plans of Kromatix SA to establish an enterprise in Azerbaijan, especially in the Alat Free Economic Zone. As a pilot project, the importance of the project planned to be implemented by Kromatix SA regarding the cladding of a school building in Jabrayil district and other schools in Azerbaijan was noted.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that he supports the company's plans in Azerbaijan, and emphasized the economic opportunities in the country.
During the meeting, it was noted that the foundation of cooperation was laid between Kromatix SA and the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan.
At the meeting with Eric Rondolat, Chief Executive Officer of Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), Mr. Rondolat informed President Ilham Aliyev about the progress and prospects of the projects implemented in Azerbaijan, including in the territories liberated from occupation – the cities of Shusha and Aghdam.
Ilham Aliyev appreciated the activity of Signify in Azerbaijan and especially noted that the lighting systems of more than 11 cities, including Baku, Sumgayit, and Ganja, have already been implemented through smart projects and smart solutions. The president described this as one of Azerbaijan's serious steps towards supporting green energy policy in recent years. It was noted that electricity consumption will be seriously economized as a result of these new technologies.
Mr. Rondolat also informed President Ilham Aliyev of the facade lighting that will be implemented in Baku, the lighting of the TV tower in Shusha, and the projects that will be implemented in the agricultural sector. He also spoke about the projects in the agricultural sector that already started.
“This will lead to more than a two-fold increase in productivity in greenhouses. Energy consumption will be significantly saved, which is of particular importance in terms of supporting business,” he added.
---
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz