Azerbaijan to establish more business incubators
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan plans to establish at least three more business incubators, Baku Business Training Center Head Akif Farrukhov said.
"Creation of such centers is envisaged in Aran economic region, Balakhani Industrial Park, and Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park," he said.
"As a pilot project, the first business incubator was established in Guba-Khachmaz economic region where about 500 square meters, with modern office equipment, were set aside for a business incubator," he said.
"Next step is creation of a business incubator in Aran economic region. After opening of the Aran regional development center, a business incubator will be established there as well," he said.
The first business incubator in Guba-Khachmaz economic region was opened on September 10. Currently, the business incubator has launched the first phase of its activities.
"Within three months, courses are supposed to be held in the business incubator in 12 different areas, which completely cover the planning, organization and business operation," he said.
The courses include such areas as the basis, planning and organization of business, marketing, management, logistics, and business negotiations. Each course will last for one week.
"The courses will be conducted by our experts who have international certificates. We also involve international experts," Farrukhov added.
Further, over the next eight months, consulting services will be offered for the participants of business incubators. "Consulting services will be conducted by relevant government agencies and the private sector," he said.
In the future, members of the business incubator will undergo training in business incubators in other countries, he noted. "We plan to organize training in Turkey, Germany, where members of the business incubator will share their experiences and build business relationships with entrepreneurs of these countries."
Azerbaijan distributed a total of 278.4 million manats soft loans to 3,040 young entrepreneurs in 2002-2014. The entrepreneurs created about 13,000 new jobs. The loans also helped the young entrepreneurs to press ahead with their business.