Azernews, 16 February 2005

President Ilham Aliyev has stated that all obstacles for entrepreneurial development in Azerbaijan should be eliminated. "The entrepreneurial activity in the country is still interfered with and inappropriate check-ups conducted. This particularly holds true for executive authorities", Aliyev told a conference at the Gulustan Palace dedicated to the one-year progress of the State Program on Socio-Economic Development of Regions for 2004-2008 on Friday, 11 February, 2005. The Program is primarily aimed at ensuring balanced economic development in regions, improving the living conditions of people and conducting consistent activities for the dynamic development of the non-oil sector.

Aliyev said he personally addressed all appeals from citizens concerning various problems they face. However, some heads of executive authorities refuse to accept and consider complaints from people, referring to busy schedules. Therefore, it is not surprising that the President receives reports saying that there are no problems. Another drawback in the work of some mayors in their interference with the activity of entrepreneurs, the President said. He once again called on the heads of executive authorities to support business people and not create problems for them.

"We will do our utmost to prevent this, and all those unable to handle their responsibilities, will be dismissed." The President termed the work done within the program as successful, as in the first year of its implementation, the imbalance between Baku and Azerbaijani regions was somewhat reduced.

Aliyev said that up to 170,000 jobs, 90,000 of them permanent positions, have been created, while new production and refining enterprises opened in the country's regions.

The Economic Development Minister Farhad Aliyev said that although Azerbaijani regions possess the needed potential, there are behind Baku in terms of their development. He pointed out the ongoing economic development in the country and said that 73.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was made up by the private sector last year. Investments in Azeri regions this year will increase 60% as compared to 2004, the Minister added.

The program, which covers 10 economic regions, is financed on account of the state budget, loans from banks and other crediting institutions, local and foreign investments.

Under the State Program, $16.8 billion will be invested in the Azerbaijani economy in 2004-2008, 60% of which will be spent on the country's regions. The GDP in the country will reach 76.3 trillion manats ($15.4bn), while the GDP per capita will make up $1,578 in 2008. The share of the private sector in the GDP will constitute 85% over the next five years.

The growth rate in all spheres, including agriculture, will make up 10-15% and average monthly salaries will more than triple. This is the second meeting of the President with entrepreneurs. During the first one, held at the Baku Business Center in February 2004, President Aliyev instructed heads of government agencies to eliminate the factors impeding entrepreneurial development in the country.

• Speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Speech of the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative