Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is visiting Davos in Switzerland to the 44th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, held several meetings.

He held talks with the chief executive officer of Holcim Bernard Fontana on January 22. During the meeting, the two sides hailed the activities of Holcim in Azerbaijan as successful.

The Azerbaijani president and the Holcim CEO also discussed building a new cement factory in Azerbaijan as part of their agreement to expand cooperation between the two sides.

They stressed the importance of mutual investment between Azerbaijan and Switzerland adding the investment would boost the economic ties. They also exchanged views on potential capacities for cooperation.

Also, President Aliyev met CEO of the French Airbus Group International Company Jean-Pierre Talamoni. During the meeting, the two sides said that Azerbaijan-France relations were rapidly developing. They also praised expansion of the bilateral cooperation in the field of economy as well as space industry.

The Azerbaijani president and the Airbus Group International CEO also discussed how to enhance cooperation between the country's relevant authorities and the company.

Later, President Aliyev met Martyn Parker, the Chairman of Global Partnerships at Swiss Re AG. They discussed how to develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and Swiss Re.

President Aliyev and Martyn Parker also exchanged views over development of insurance market in Azerbaijan, insurance of natural disasters and insurance with respect to prevention of agricultural disasters caused by climate change.

President Aliyev also met President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Suma Chakrabarti. They hailed recent developments in Azerbaijan, the country's economic growth, and the government's attention to the developing of the non-oil sector, eliminating poverty and unemployment and combating corruption.

President Aliyev and Suma Chakrabarti expressed confidence that the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development would continue to develop.

As part of the visit, President Aliyev also met his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres. The presidents discussed about the current ties between two sides. Finding new ways to expand the ties in different fields such as science, education and agriculture was also on the agenda.

President Aliyev also met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They discussed various aspects of bilateral relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel, as well as economic and military cooperation.

The World Economic Forum in Davos kicked off on January 22 and will last till January 25.

"The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business" is thematic focus of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2014. The main aim of the event is to develop the insights, initiatives and actions necessary to respond to current and emerging challenges.

More than 2,500 participants, including over 30 heads of state or government, are convening at the 44th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

On January 23, President Aliyev met Executive Vice President and Chief Market Leader of Philips, Ronald de Jong.

They highlighted reforms carried out in Azerbaijan, and hailed conditions for fruitful activity of investors. The sides discussed prospects for building cooperation between Azerbaijan and Philips.