A conference dedicated to “Entrepreneurs’ Day” was held
20 years ago, on April 25, 2002, National Leader Heydar Aliyev met with local entrepreneurs and in May with foreign businessmen. By the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E Mr. Ilham Aliyev, dated April 21, 2016, April 25 has been celebrated as “Entrepreneurs’ Day” in our country for 7 years.
On April 25, with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) of Azerbaijan organized a conference on “The role of entrepreneurship in the development of the economy.” The event was attended by Ministers of Economy, Labor and Social Protection, MPs, representatives of relevant government agencies, public associations of entrepreneurs, as well as businessmen operating in various fields.
First, the conference participants visited the tomb of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honors and laid a wreath at his monument. The conference participants also paid tribute to the memory of our heroes who gave their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the Alley of Martyrs and laid a wreath at the Eternal Torch complex.
The conference began with a minute of silence in memory of our martyrs.
Then a film was shown on the measures taken for the development of the private sector in our country and the successes achieved.
Congratulating the entrepreneurs, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov stressed the development of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, the unprecedented role of the Great Leader in the formation and development of the private sector, the successful continuation of this policy under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. It was noted that the business and investment climate is constantly improving, the legislative framework is being improved, and entrepreneur-state, government-business relations are being developed. As a result of targeted measures taken since 2003, Azerbaijan’s economy has grown 3.4 times, industry 3.7 times, agriculture 2 times and foreign trade turnover 6.8 times.
It was noted that from the first days, government agencies have been faced with serious tasks to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic on the national economy, macroeconomic stability, employment and the private sector. All this has ensured the maintenance of economic activity in the country, including business. The social responsibility demonstrated by business during this period, the support provided to YASHAT and the Karabakh Revival Fund is not a campaign, but a logical consequence of a purposeful policy on the development of entrepreneurship, an indicator of the development of human capital. The measures taken and the effective public-private partnership have prevented the recession in a short period of time and accelerated the growth rate. It is no coincidence that thanks to the work done to minimize the effects of the pandemic, the measures taken to restore and develop the economy, the country’s economy ended 2021 with a growth of 5.6 percent. It was stressed that economic progress determines the development of all areas, as well as the strengthening of our army. From this point of view, entrepreneurs also have a special contribution to the glorious victory in the 44-day Patriotic War under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, H.E Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
Speaking about the measures to be taken to expand business in the coming period, the Minister of Economy said that a number of steps will be taken in the coming period to develop entrepreneurship and stimulate business. It was noted that increasing the country’s business attractiveness, providing entrepreneurs with more convenient and systematic access to financial markets, increasing their share in traditional markets, facilitating access to new markets, improving tax and customs administration, labor relations, etc. The measures to be taken in these areas will create new opportunities for the development and strengthening of the private sector.
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Sahil Babayev called on the private sector to participate in the “Employment Marathon”, which provides social support and active employment programs for vulnerable groups, as well as the employment of martyrs’ families and war veterans within the corporate social responsibility projects of the private sector. The Minister stressed that joint projects with the private sector in the field of social partnership will be further expanded in the future.
MP, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Tahir Mirkishili stressed the importance of strengthening the legal framework in this area to ensure sustainable development of entrepreneurship, noting that the legislation contributing to the expansion of economic activity is always in the spotlight.
President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev noted that entrepreneurs also contribute to the success of Azerbaijan. It was noted that the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan, which unites thousands of business entities, including more than 70 associations and unions, spares no effort to further strengthen state-entrepreneur cooperation.
Chairman of the Management Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) Orkhan Mammadov noted that the development of small and medium enterprises in the country is one of the priorities of the economy, informed about the measures taken in this area, the Agency’s activities and support mechanisms.
Chairman of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation, MP Sattar Mehbaliyev spoke about the establishment of proper relations between entrepreneurs and employees, its positive impact on entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurs speaking at the conference – Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen’s Union (ATIB) Cemal Yangin and Chairman of the Azerbaijan Construction Materials Manufacturers Association Elkhan Bashirov shared their impressions of National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s meetings with entrepreneurs, instructions and recommendations, as well as entrepreneurs’ meeting with the Great Leader on April 25, 2002, and reforms in the private sector.
At the end of the event, an appeal was made to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, on behalf of the conference participants.
