President Aliyev: Chemical industry, non-oil sector - main factors for Azerbaijani economy
By Nigar Orujova
The chemical industry, advanced technologies, and the development of the non-oil sector are the main drivers that will lead the country’s economy forward, President Ilham Aliyev said during his visit to the industrial city of Sumgayit.
In Sumgayit, the head of state attended the opening of the Technical Equipment Plant, the High Density Polyethylene Plant, and new installations in the Ethylene and Polyethylene Plant.
Addressing the staff of the Ethylene and Polyethylene Plant, the president congratulated chemists with the 70thanniversary of the chemical industry in Azerbaijan. He noted that today the chemical industry is entering a new period of modern technologies.
“Investments in the amount of $750 million will be allocated to the SOCAR Polymer plant, which in turn will lead to the creation of new jobs, creation of new industrial sites,” the head of state stressed. “This is a very large investment project and I am confident that it will be implemented in time. Thus, another important step in the development of powerful industrial potential will be taken in Azerbaijan.”
Appraising the work carried out at the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, President Aliyev said he is confident the park will work at full capacity in a few years.
“The economy of the country is primarily dependent on industrial production, and I am pleased that today modern plants created in Azerbaijan meet the highest standards,” the president said.
He noted that conditions created here will be used by private sector as well, as the country will export not only raw materials, but end product. This will create great opportunities for small and medium entrepreneurs.
Azerbaijan has a positive investment climate, public funds are invested, and the private sector is also actively involved in this work, according to the president.
“Enterprise development is the main condition for the overall development of Azerbaijan. Therefore, entrepreneurs should be given and have maximum autonomy. The recently adopted decisions, laws, and issued orders are aimed to make no one bother entrepreneurs, to remove artificial barriers so that entrepreneurs work at their own, in a comfortable environment, invest in our country, create jobs and even more improve the business environment in Azerbaijan,” President Aliyev said.
The president emphasized that the struggle will be further carried out against corruption and bribery
“The state bodies unlawfully interfering into the entrepreneurial activity will be punished, and the public already sees it and will see. We have strong political will, based on the support of the Azerbaijani people who welcome and approve our initiatives. Without this support we will not be able to do any work”, the president said.
The head of state further stressed that the SOCAR Polymer plant is one of the largest investment projects not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the region.
The Ethylene and Polyethylene Plant of the Azerkimya Production Union was created in 1994 on the basis of “EP-300” and “Polimer-120” installations. The nitrogen–oxygen complex was commissioned here in 2013. The annual project capacity of the facility is 87,600 tons.
The new installation at the facility will clear liquefied gases from sulfur compounds. Another new installation is the absolute isopropyl alcohol sector.
The president launched facilities to produce the hydrogenation of butylene-butadiene fraction and clear liquefied gases from sulfur compounds.
The two installations were made under the special construction bureau of the Azerkimya Production Union.
The annual capacity of the hydrogenation of butylene-butadiene fraction installation is 120,000 tons.
At the Technical Equipment Plant of Azertexnolayn Company located in the territory of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state about the work carried out in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park.
The park, founded in 2013, occupies a total area of 296 hectares. There are three Azertexnolayn company plants located here.
The plant has a steel mill and processing areas. The annual production capacity of the facility, which will employ 250 people in three shifts, is 6,500 tons.
Following, President Aliyev laid the foundation of the High Density Polyethylene Plant, which will be built as part of the SOCAR Polymer project.
President of the State Oil Company Rovnag Abdullayev informed the head of state about the work to be done.
SOCAR Polymer was created in 2013. The plants of the company are being built on the site of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park. The annual capacity of the two units will be 180,000 tons of polypropylene and 120,000 tons of high-density polyethylene. These units will be commissioned in 2018.