Entrepreneurs are interested in establishing food and catering facilities in the liberated areas

Discussions with pandemic and post-pandemic period were held with food and catering sector’s entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs are interested in establishing food and catering facilities in the liberated territories and investing in this sector. This was announced on January 28 at the online forum “Food Industry and Catering Sector: Current Status and Prospects” held with the support of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), organized by the Public Council under the Agency and in along with the Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Industry Association – notified by the Chairman of the Board Orkhan Mammadov.

Orkhan Mammadov noted that the liberation of our lands from occupation in 2020 as a result of the determination of our victorious Supreme Commander-In-Chief, Mr. Aliyev, and the heroism of our brave army which has opened new opportunities for business as well. Up to now, KOBIA has received numerous appeals from entrepreneurs wishing to establish businesses in the liberated areas. These appeals encompass the areas of production, tourism, textiles, construction, medical activities as well as catering and agriculture in the food industry. Entrepreneurs who are wishing to set up businesses and invest in the liberated territories, KOBIA may provide the necessary information, coordination and advisory services.

He also noted that the pandemic has not passed unnoticed in the catering sector, and that the government is taking active measures to protect business through various support mechanisms. The forum held during the post-war period and on the eve of the post-pandemic, this forum with the participation of entrepreneurs and government agencies is an important platform for topical discussions and public-business dialogue.

Balarahim Guliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA), spoke about the measures taken by AQTA in the framework of Covid-19 struggle in which extensive awareness-raising activities were carried out among the population and entrepreneurs, and monitoring was carried out in catering, tourism, food trade and other businesses. Noting that a concept document on the activities of the AFSA on the liberated territories was prepared and submitted with the participation of international and local experts, Balarahim Guliyev said that entrepreneurs have a responsibility to revive the liberated territories and also invited for active cooperation to overcome the barriers that arise during the implementation of issues.

Vugar Zeynalov, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation said that the organization stands by entrepreneurs to reduce the impact of the pandemic on the development of entrepreneurship in 2020, and had submitted numerous appeals and proposals to government agencies and discussions were held with the participation of business entities and government agencies.

Farhad Garashov, Chairman of the Public Council under the KOBIA, noted that the forum was organized to discuss the challenges faced by SMEs in the food industry and catering during the pandemic and their expectations in the post-pandemic period within the state-business dialogue. The event is the ninth forum organized the Public Council under the Agency, and in 2021 will continue to organize public discussions and other events in various sectors of the economy, mainly in the sectors affected by the pandemic, – said Farhad Garashov.

The online forum also discussed the problems of businesses operating in the food business, and answered questions from participants.

It should be noted that the forum organized online in connection with the quarantine regime was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and its departments, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety and State Tourism Agencies, businesses operating in the food and catering sector (food and agricultural producers, food importers and exporters, markets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and other catering facilities) and business associations.