Conference on “State is the best partner of entrepreneur” was held
On June 4, Conference on “State is the best partner of entrepreneur” dedicated to the Entrepreneurs Day organized by the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, supported by the Ministry of Economy was held at the Congress Center.
The event was attended by heads of relevant government agencies, universities, public organizations, MPs and entrepreneurs.
Prior to the event, the participants of the Conference visited the burial of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor and commemorated his memory and laid a wreath at his monument. Participants of the Conference at the Alley of Martyrs commemorated the memory of our heroes who died for the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During his speech at the conference, the Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev said that the comprehensive development strategy of our country, laid by the national leader Heydar Aliyev, was achieved by great vision and success by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev as a result of the implementation of consecutive measures and complex reforms. Shahin Mustafayev noted entrepreneurs are covered by the state care and said that in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, celebrating of the fourth year of the Entrepreneurs Day is another indication of the high attention and care for entrepreneurs.
The Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on “Awarding distinguished people engaged in entrepreneurial activity and work with Entrepreneurs” was read in the conference.
Later on, the film “The basis of sustainable development – entrepreneurship”, which reflects the measures taken and achievements made for the development of entrepreneurship in our country, was demonstrated.
Minister of the Labor and Social Protection of Population Sahil Babayev said that formation of an innovative economy and development of entrepreneurship and social welfare in the country are the main directions of the successful policy of the President Ilham Aliyev. It was noted that as the new successes of the Social Reform Package, in 2019, the minimum wage and minimum pension and social benefit and pension have increased, and these and other important measures have been a significant boost to the well-being of the population.
Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship, academician Ziyad Samadzadeh and MP Vahid Ahmadov spoke about the measures to improve legislation on economy and entrepreneurship.
Deputy Minister of Taxes Sahib Alakbarov informed about the main directions of tax system changes, ensuring transparency with taxpayers, and work done to address the issues that they are facing.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Seyfaddin Talibov spoke about the measures taken to develop the agrarian sector, the role of entrepreneurship in this area and stressed that the state continues to support entrepreneurs.
Chairman of the Food Safety Agency, Goshgar Tahmazli, spoke about the measures taken in the field of food security.
The President of The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations Mammad Musayev said that entrepreneurs contribute to Azerbaijan’s achieved success. Mammad Musayev spoke about the work carried out by the Confederation to make these events successful.
“President Ilham Aliyev addressed to the local entrepreneurs in one of his speeches: I will try to give you as much freedom as possible. Provide maximum opportunities for you to continue your activity free, independent and comfortable”. We as entrepreneurs feel this in our daily work.
As a result of systematic measures taken to develop entrepreneurship, the World Bank Doing Business Report – 2019 ranked our country 25th among 190 countries moving ahead 32 points compared to previous years in terms of favorable business environment. The inclusion of Azerbaijan in the list of the 10 most reformed countries in the world is an obvious example of economic reforms in the country.
As a result of measures taken to improve the business environment and develop entrepreneurship in the non-oil sector and non-oil exports of our country increased 4.1 times in 2004-2018, the number of exported goods increased by 2.6 times, and in general, after independence 250 billion US dollar has been invested to the economy of the country.
At the same time, the implementation of “the Strategic Road Map” on the national economy and key sectors of the economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan” has started to show positive results in all sectors.
In accordance with the strategy of the President of Azerbaijan “Development of our country depends on the development of entrepreneurship”, the legal framework for entrepreneurship development is being improved, administrative procedures are simplified, tax burden is reduced, the scope of state support for entrepreneurship are expanded.
In addition, the President’s support for entrepreneurs and citizens is socially important. As a result of fire in the shopping center “Diglas” entrepreneurs suffered seriously. As always, this time, President Ilham Aliyev was standing for the citizens, and did not leave the entrepreneurs without support.
“In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated February 28, 2019 “On additional measures to resolve problem loans of individuals in the Republic of Azerbaijan” the financial loss which suffered many citizens as a result of devaluation in the country was compensated at the expense of the state budget. Around 900,000 citizens in the country are covered by the decree.
In recent years, development of the entrepreneurship in our country does not end with the reforms and the work will continue in this field. Successful implementation of these reforms became possible thanks to the hard work of all state bodies, especially the Ministry of Economy.
Entrepreneurial inspections were suspended until 2021, the number of licensed activities reduced from 59 to 37, the number of permits was reduced by almost four times to 86, state licensing fees were reduced twice in Baku, 4 times by regions, in order to stimulate investment entrepreneurs are provided with investment promotion documents.
It is just enough to say that the total amount of investment projects implemented and planned after application of the investment promotion mechanism is 2.8 billion AZN. As a result of these projects, more than 21,000 new jobs were created.
In 2018, 2048 licenses were issued to entrepreneurs, of which 1384 were replaced with new ones, and 664 were replaced by perpetual licenses. In total, for the last three years, the Ministry of Economy issued 6766 licenses to entrepreneurs through ASAN service centers.
According to statistics, there are about 972,000 business entities operating in the country.
Entrepreneurs are also making a significant contribution to the incredible success of Azerbaijan. This is seen as an important manifestation of the President’s confidence in business people.
The Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation which unites thousands of businesses, including 70 associations and unions, celebrates the 20th anniversary of its founding this year, has mobilized its efforts to succeed.
In order to organize effective management, 16 standing commissions of the Confederation established in various areas and representative offices covering all regions of the country provide regional governance”.
Speaking at the conference, the entrepreneurs expressed their gratitude to the head of state for reforms in the development of private sector and legal acts adopted in this direction and thanked the President for the attention and care for the development of entrepreneurship, numerous support measures and activities.
During the event, a group of entrepreneurs were awarded in the categories of corporate social responsibility, active association, disciplinary taxpayer, social entrepreneurship, active exporter, innovative activity and successful SME.
At the end of the Conference, the appeal was accepted on behalf of the conference participants to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
