President Aliyev: Azerbaijan becomes indispensable partner for continent
By Nigar Orujova
Heydar Aliyev Center hosted a conference on the implementation of the state programs for social and economic development of Azerbaijan. The conference was chaired by the country's President Ilham Aliyev.
The Head of State first viewed an exhibition on implementation of government programs for socio-economic development of regions held in Heydar Aliyev Center.
The exhibition featured the main indicators of socio-economic development of the country in 2003-2013 reflecting the development of industry, infrastructure, information and communications technology, agriculture, social services, tourism, environment, business and other sectors of the economy.
The state programs aimed at accelerating the socio-economic development of the regions played an important role in the dynamic development of the country. As a result of the focused and integrated government policy carried out in the past years, three quarters of the entire South Caucasus economy belong to Azerbaijan.
In 2003-2013, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has also gone a long way of development, with increasing GDP, industrial, agricultural production.
President Aliyev made an opening address at the event.
The main point about the state regional programs is that they cover all areas. "Adoption of the first program in 2004 has played a special role in the development of the regions of Azerbaijan," he said.
The first five-year program led to a turning point in the regions. Then the second program was adopted. These programs played a very important role in regional development and strengthened the economic potential of Azerbaijan as a whole.
During the last ten years, Azerbaijan has developed most rapidly in the world; the economy grew by 3.4 times.
"As a result of these two programs, industrial production grew by 2.7 times. If in the first years of the program implementation, the economy and industry made progress mainly because of oil sector revenues, in recent years, the non-oil sector has played a great role in the development of our country," Aliyev added.
"It is no coincidence that last year oil sector expanded by almost 10 percent. This is also one of the highest rates in the world. Overall, in the past year, the economy grew by nearly 6 percent," the president stressed.
All achievements are reflected in the statistics. The economy grew by 3.4 times, industrial production by 2.7 times, agriculture by 1.5 times. The country created 1.2 million jobs, 900,000 of which are permanent.
"Poverty declined from nearly 50 percent to 5.3 percent. Unemployment is 5 percent. Based on these figures, Azerbaijan is ahead of even developed countries. Our foreign debt is 8 percent," Aliyev said.
"Over the past ten years $160 billion has been invested in Azerbaijan and the volume of investment in recent years continued to grow. Last year it reached a record level when $28 billion was invested in the Azerbaijani economy. Domestic investments have already exceeded foreign ones, which is also a very positive fact. The composition of domestic investment is still dominated by public investment spending, which is natural, since infrastructure projects and other programs necessary for the economy are implemented," he said.
"The private sector has also increased its investment in Azerbaijan. This was made possible primarily thanks to the prevailing stability in our country. It is a testament to the faith of the private sector in the future of Azerbaijan. I am sure that in the coming years, investments will not be reduced, as there is still much to do," the president said.
"Despite the major oil contracts have already been signed and implemented, Azerbaijan remains an attractive country for foreign businessmen," he believes. "Today, more funds are invested in the development of non-oil sector. Investment climate created in our country is very positive. Azerbaijan is at the forefront in the CIS for the volume of direct foreign investments per capita."
Also, over the past ten years, a great attention was given to
the development of entrepreneurship
President Aliyev also emphasized dynamic development of Azerbaijan, growth of the population and growth of economy.
"We have big plans for the future industrial development. Azerbaijan will become a modern industrial country. Hundreds and even thousands of new businesses will be created," he said.
President Aliyev said today Azerbaijan is a strong state, and the Azerbaijani people live in safety. "Azerbaijan is among the countries that speak their word in a global scale. We have our own opinion, our own attitude on every issue."
"Azerbaijan must addresses food safety and transport security. Today we are becoming a transport hub for the entire world, not only for the continent," he said.
"Azerbaijan has become an indispensable partner for the continent in terms of energy security. In December last year, the largest contract of the 21st century was signed. "The Contract of the Century", that is a contract of the 20th century, is implemented successfully. Azerbaijan undertook basic economic weight and the primary responsibility. We are ready for this responsibility. We are aware of this responsibility. By proper leadership will be able to implement these projects," Aliyev underlined.
Afterwards, Minister of Economy and Industry Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Transportation Ziya Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture Heydar Asadov, President of the State Oil Company Rovnag Abdullayev, President of Azerenergy Etibar Pirverdiyev and chairman of Azersu Gorkhmaz Huseynov addressed the meeting.
President Aliyev made closing remarks to the conference.
"The overall economic development of the country should be achieved in the coming years," he said.
"In the coming years, the country expects a large currency income thanks to development of oil and gas as well as non-oil sectors," he noted. "These funds will be transparent. They will be used for major expenditures and addressing social issues. Infrastructure projects, and support to entrepreneurship will be also in focus."
"In other words, over the next 5 years, we will have enough economic, financial and technical resources to successfully implement the third program. Of course, we have gained a great experience over the last 10 years. Thousands of new companies have emerged over the past 10 years, and we are trying to strengthen local companies. In particular, favorable terms have paved the way for their participation in the state projects."
"Full implementation of infrastructure projects should be completed within the next five years. The development of agriculture will continue to be a priority in the coming years," he said.
The banking sector has developed rapidly in the recent years. "I think the time has come for the banks to allocate more financial resources to economy. One of the main functions of banks is to give greater impetus to the country's economy."
"The government is greatly supporting the development of the banking sector. Banks should be aware of their social responsibility and allocate more funds in the form of credit to the economy," the president stressed.
"This year is a year of industry. Special attention is paid and will be paid to the development of industry. The process of creating industrial parks is in full swing. Also, industrial areas and industrial zones should be established in every city, as the economy, the industrial potential, and the population is growing," Aliyev said.
"There are some countries where the population is decreasing. We have grown tby more than 170,000 people last year. This is a very positive growth and demonstrates our economic development. Our economic potential and industrial capabilities must comply with this trend. Therefore, in every city, probably in suburbs, special industrial zones should be created," he noted.
The president underlined that different measures have been implemented over the last 10 years. The state program was fulfilled which was a great support to the development of the country. He assured that the third program will be also implemented on time ensuring a successful and dynamic development of Azerbaijan.