ASK President: Important steps are taken to develop Azerbaijani economy, especially in the direction of non-oil sector

Speech of Mammad Musayev, President of Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, at the Conference in “Involvement of the private sector and ensuring investment activity in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Food and Agriculture in Azerbaijan”.

Dear conference participants!

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

I would like to greet you on behalf of Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation.

It is known that, at the result of successful socio-economic policy and economic reforms implemented by President Mr. Ilham Aliyev, important steps are taken in the direction of to developing entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, especially to build a sustainable economy.

Growing dynamics of non-oil sector in the country, level of development of the regions is clear example of formation of more sustainable, comprehensive and diversified national entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan.

The economic development strategy defined by President Ilham Aliyev not even only plays exceptional role in the development of country, but is also becoming model for economic development of countries with transition economies.

In economic system based on free market relations and self-regulation, various projects aimed at social protection and welfare of the people, and most importantly, noble works such as protection of moral and ethical values from foreign influences, are especially actual especially.

At present, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva is standing at the forefront among the people who have implemented this noble mission with taking high moral responsibility, with honor, perseverance and generosity.

Sensitive attitude of First Vice President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva to the actual problems of country’s economy is highly appreciated by Azerbaijani entrepreneurs.

Dear event participants!

As you know, with the resolution of United Nations General Assembly dated September 25, 2015, “Daily 2030” is approved which consists of 17 goals and 169 goals, to will promote creation of extremely important opportunities for human development for the next 15 years, ensuring the sustainability of global development by protecting our planet.

Reaffirming importance of Sustainable Development Goals at the 6th World Congress on Agricultural Financing held in Delhi, India on 12-13 November 2019, it was discussed that support for agricultural financial assistance initiatives to address the threat of famine until 2030 in Congress.

It was noted at the World Congress that, in order to eradicate poverty in rural areas and ensure sustainable development of employment in agriculture, it is necessary to increase role of banks, non-bank credit organizations, microfinance and other organizations engaged in financing of agriculture, as well as create appropriate conditions for them.

Taking into account that implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals requires a comprehensive institutional and political approach, National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established with order of administrative under chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister,Mr.Ali Ahmadov. The goals and objectives of Council cover a number of important measures covering economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development.

Today, important steps are taken in the direction of developing Azerbaijani economy, especially non-oil sector. Thus, according to official data, in January-October 2019, gross domestic product in the amount of 65.4 billion manat, or 2.1 percent more than same period last year was produced by enterprises, organizations and individual entrepreneurs that operates in the country.

Agriculture occupies important place among the measures related to diversify economy and eliminate dependence on oil factor. The value added in the non-oil sector of economy increased by 3.5 percent this year. Agriculture accounts for 6.2 percent of value added. For January-October 2019, value of agriculture in actual prices amounted to 6.9 billion manat, of which 3.4 billion manat fell to livestock and 3.5 billion manat to crop production. During 10 months of 2019, gross output of agriculture increased by 7.2 percent compared to the same period of last year, including increase of crop production by 11.4 percent, and livestock production by 3.2 percent.

The development of entrepreneurship, especially small and medium enterprises in the development of agriculture, is one of the most important issues in country’s leadership. Determination of a number of benefits for farmers in the country, exemption of them from all taxes except land tax, giving loans to them on preferential terms and leasing of agricultural machinery, giving subsidies by government in various areas, created wide opportunities for development of agriculture and rising of employment in this area.

During the first 10 months of 2019, 63% or 7.2 billion manat of 11.4 billion manat directed to fixed assets in Azerbaijan was directed to the non-oil and gas sector, which is increase of 7% compared to the same period last year.

At present, share of private sector in GDP in Azerbaijan has reached 84 percent. 76% of employed population in the country work in private sector. 91.4% or 130,000 of the 142,000 enterprises or organizations in the country fall to share of private sector recently.

Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation is an independent public association that protects rights and economic interests of entrepreneurs.

The main goal of confederation is to participate closely in the process of creating more favorable business environment in the country and ensuring sustainable development with using existing potential of its members.

There are 14 commissions operating in the context of confederation, one of these is “Agrarian Development Commission”. In this Commission, various aspects of agricultural sector, difficulties faced by entrepreneurs, initiatives related to existing legislation are discussed and submitted to the government. As Confederation, we express our gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan on the behalf of entrepreneurs for acceptance of most of the proposals submitted in the past.

I have to note that the Government of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation and Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, work together to conclude collective agreements and amendments, make additions and changes to them, as well as ensure their implementation, resolve a number of labor and socio-economic issues as equal subjects of social dialogue.

Ensuring of sustainable development and decent work is priority area of cooperation between International Labor Organization and Confederation. It encourages duties and responsibilities of entrepreneurs on the priorities reflected in the national program on decent work, seeks to contribute to this area.

Represents entrepreneurs in the Commissions on “Improving the business environment”, “Regulation and coordination of labor relations”, the Tripartite Commission on Socio-Economic Affairs in the Republic of Azerbaijan, established by relevant decrees of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Confederation builds its work based on combination of healthy forces in the country’s private sector. Our members include almost various companies operating in all sectors of the country’s economy.

The inter-connectedness of problems of entrepreneurship development makes it necessary to realization of solution of them within a certain system. Implementation of measures aimed at creating necessary economic environment for entrepreneurship within a special system creates favorable conditions for achieving strategic goal.

Falling of large part of the country’s gross domestic product on private sector shows that entrepreneurs are already playing role of locomotive for economic development.

We are sure that development of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan will continue to develop as a result of reforms carried out by President and Azerbaijani entrepreneurs will do their best to contribute to economic life of the country, benefiting from positive experience gained around the world.

Thank you for your attention and I wish success to the work of Conference.