Conference on the 100th anniversary of the great leader Heydar Aliyev and “Entrepreneurs’ Day” held

As is known, 2023 has been declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” in Azerbaijan. The National Leader has rendered indubitable services in shaping the market economy, restoring and developing entrepreneurial traditions in Azerbaijan. Twenty-one years ago, on April 25, 2002, the national leader Heydar Aliyev held historic meetings with local business persons, and in May with foreign business circles. It is no coincidence that April 25 has been celebrated as “Entrepreneurs’ Day” in our country for eight years by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev dated April 21, 2016.

On April 25, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the great leader Heydar Aliyev and “Entrepreneurs’ Day”, a conference on “Heydar Aliyev and the development of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan” was held in the “Gulustan” Palace with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the organization of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan.

The event attendees first paid a visit to the tomb of the national leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honors and laid a wreath in front of the monument, commemorating his memory with high esteem. Subsequently, the memory of our heroes who fell in the struggle for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was commemorated in Martyrs’ Alley, and a wreath was laid at the “Eternal Torch” complex.

The conference began with the national anthem of Azerbaijan, a minute’s silence in memory of the great leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs who died in the struggle for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country. The event was attended by heads of relevant state institutions, representatives of public associations of entrepreneurs, as well as businesspersons operating in various fields.

Speaking at the event, Khalid Ahadov, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for socio-economic issues, delivered his views on the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of our people, the founder of the independent state of Azerbaijan, an outstanding political and statesman and the declaration of 2023 as the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” in our country, the series of events carried out regarding this in our country and abroad, the unmatched services of the Great Leader in favour of the development of our country and he also congratulated entrepreneurs on April 25 “Entrepreneurs’ Day”.

In his video address, Mikayil Jabbarov, the Minister of Economy gave a speech on the role of the great leader Heydar Aliyev in shaping and developing the economy, including the private sector, in our country based on the principles of market relations, and the successful continuation of this policy under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. It was highlighted that the business and investment environment in our country is constantly advancing, the legislative framework and support tools regulating entrepreneurial activity are being improved based on modern challenges, and entrepreneur-state relations are developing. It was noted that in the next period, measures would be continued to be taken to develop the entrepreneurship and stimulate the business.

Sahil Babayev, the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, laid stress on the fact that the economic development strategy authored by national leader Heydar Aliyev and successfully pursued under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev is pro-social, and according to this strategy, entrepreneurship plays a paramount role in social welfare and employment. As a result of the special attention of the head of state to the social sector, the minister pointed out to the measures taken ensure the well-being of the citizens, especially in the last five years, within the scope of four social reform packages, a substantial increase in social benefits has been achieved. Close involvement and support of corporate social responsibility projects of the private sector, provision of employment, expansion of the self-employment programs, social protection measures for the persons of vulnerable groups and experience of the Ministry`s active cooperation with entrepreneurs at the social partnership level were mentioned.

Sahib Alakbarov, the Deputy Minister of Economy, shared his memory of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, stressing that the national leader successfully led his people out of the arduous historical and political ordeal throughout his tenure in Azerbaijan, and thanks to his extraordinary leadership skills and high patriotism, the progress in the socio-economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields of our country has been achieved.

Bahar Muradova, the chairman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, laid stress on the fact that Heydar Aliyev always appreciated the role of women in society, supported the women to be at the forefront in various fields, and the development of women leaders and entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan is the result of the successful pursuit of this policy.

Orkhan Mammadov, the Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA), drew attention to the fact that the development of small and medium businesses in our country, increasing the role of SMBs in the economy is one of the priority directions, he conveyed information on the measures taken in this field, the activities of the Agency and the support and services rendered to SMBs.

Speaking at the event, Sattar Mohbaliyev, the Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, mentioned the establishment of proper relations between entrepreneurs and employees, and its positive impacts on entrepreneurial activity.

Mammad Musayev, the President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, mentioned that the entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan, who responded adequately to state support, made a positive contribution to the development and prosperity of Azerbaijan, and the support provided by entrepreneurs during the pandemic and the 44-day Patriotic War was a great example of public-private sector partnership and he also stated his opinions on the work carried out in favour of strengthening the state-entrepreneur cooperation, starting with the great leader Heydar Aliyev.

Abdolbari Goozal, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of “Azersun Holding” and Zakir Nuriyev, the President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association, shared his views on the meetings of national leader Heydar Aliyev with entrepreneurs, the tasks and recommendations given by him, including his impressions of his meetings with entrepreneurs in April and May 2002, and the reforms carried out to develop the private sector.

The documentary feature film “First century of eternity. Heydar Aliyev – 100” dedicated to the life and activities of the Great Leader, the development and prosperity of Azerbaijan, as well as the work he achieved in the field of entrepreneurship was demonstrated at the event.

At the end of the conference, an appeal to President Ilham Aliyev was adopted on behalf of the participants of the event.

This part of the event ended with these speeches.

As part of the conference, a photo exhibition featuring various periods of the life and political activity of the great leader Heydar Aliyev was demonstrated in the lobby of the “Gulustan” Palace.