Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has named 2014 the Year of Industry.

"The year 2013 saw a continuation of Azerbaijan's socio-economic development and the strengthening of the country's international image," President Aliyev said on January 9 at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to discuss results of the country's socio-economic development in 2013 and outline tasks for 2014.

The Head of State touched upon Azerbaijan's two-year tenure as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying the country demonstrated principled position based on international law and justice.

He also noted this issue contributed to significantly increasing the country's international influence.

President Aliyev went on to say that an anti-Azerbaijan campaign at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ended in failure in early 2013.

The Head of State noted the country hosted a lot of high-level international events, adding large-scaled work was carried out to expand bilateral relations with foreign countries.

Also, President Aliyev highlighted the negotiations to solve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying Armenia's non-constructive position had prevented progress in the talks.

The president said Azerbaijan holds the balance of power in all areas in comparison with Armenia, adding that Azerbaijan's state budget is eight times bigger than Armenia's, while its population is six times bigger.

The president also praised Azerbaijan's economic development, saying the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saw a six percent growth in 2013. He said the non-oil sector increased by 9.8 percent, while the population's income grew by 8 percent, and inflation stood at 2.4 percent.

President Ilham Aliyev said last year some $28 billion has been invested in the country's economy, which is considered a new record. He said the strategic currency reserves also stood at $50 billion.

The Head of State said a total of 110,000 jobs (80,000 of which permanent ones) were created in 2013, adding the unemployment rate fell to five percent. President Ilham Aliyev further said the poverty level in the country stood at 5.3 percent last year.

The president said Davos Forum ranked Azerbaijan at 39th place in its latest competitiveness report, adding the country would continue its socio-economic development.

The Head of State praised the launch of Azerbaijan's first communications satellite, saying 2013 was the Year of Information and Communication Technologies.

President Aliyev also expressed confidence that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway would be commissioned in 2015. He also mentioned to the successes achieved under TAP and Shah Deniz-2 projects in 2013.

The Head of State also thanked the Azerbaijani people for re-electing him as the president of the country, saying all authoritative international organizations hailed the elections as free, transparent and fair.

Speakers at the meeting included Finance Minister Samir Sharifov, Communications and Information Technologies Minister Ali Abbasov, and Healthcare Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev also highlighted the importance of expanding investment programs, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and continuing government support of economic reforms and entrepreneurship.

The President said anti-corruption measures would be continued in 2014, adding ASAN service network would be enhanced.

President Aliyev said this year would play a decisive role in preparation for the 2015 Baku European Games.