Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Taleh Zeynalov, Executive Director of “Grand-Agro Invitro” LLC, briefed the President and First Lady on the activities of the enterprise.

The priorities set for diversifying the economy, particularly developing the non-oil sector, are being successfully implemented. At the same time, the share of agricultural products in the non-oil sector is increasing, contributing to food security and reducing dependence on imports.

The “Grand-Agro Invitro” facility and the newly opened “Azbadam” almond processing plant represent successful examples of the development of Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector and agricultural industry.

During the visit, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of developing almond production in Azerbaijan and highlighted the need to preserve the distinctive qualities of local fruit varieties. He noted that local varieties should be given particular attention alongside intensive agricultural production.

Established in 2017, “Grand-Agro Invitro” LLC specializes in producing high-quality fruit and other plant seedlings. Using modern technologies, the enterprise is capable of producing varieties that cannot be propagated through traditional methods, as well as competitive products for both domestic and international markets.

The total investment in the Invitro project amounted to 21 million AZN. The greenhouses use modern drip irrigation and misting systems, while the laboratory is equipped with advanced technologies and meets international standards. The facility has the capacity to produce up to 4 million seedlings annually. A total of 84 people are permanently employed at the enterprise.

The “Azbadam” LLC almond processing plant is the first almond processing facility of its kind in Azerbaijan. The project was implemented in two stages. Between 2017 and 2019, almond orchards covering a total of 427 hectares were established in Qala and Bilgah settlements of the Absheron District, with an investment of 17 million AZN.

The second stage included the construction of the processing plant, completed in September 2021. The total investment amounted to 13.5 million AZN, including a preferential loan of 10 million AZN provided through the Entrepreneurship Development Fund and 3.5 million AZN in founder capital.

The plant is equipped with machinery manufactured by Spain’s Jose Borrell S.A. and has an annual processing capacity of 2,000 tons of almond kernels. Its operations include initial processing, shelling, drying, and sorting.

The development of domestic almond production is expected to significantly reduce Azerbaijan’s dependence on imported almonds and create opportunities for exporting products under the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand to European Union countries, Türkiye, CIS and Central Asian countries, India, the United Arab Emirates, and other international markets.

The enterprise also contributes to employment, with 130 permanent jobs created at the almond processing facility.

https://president.az/az/articles/view/56822

Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), briefed the head of state about the “Baku SME House,” located in the Narimanov district of the capital.

It was reported that the “Baku SME House,” the third of its kind, has a total area of 11,262 square meters. The first two floors of the three-story building are designated for providing services to entrepreneurs, while the third floor is intended for staff. The “Baku SME House” has the capacity to serve up to 5,000 entrepreneurs per day. Meeting, training, startup and mediation rooms, as well as a conference hall, have also been established for entrepreneurs.

At the “Baku SME House,” more than 150 types of services will be provided by 29 government agencies, while more than 100 types of services will be offered by 20 private organizations. Entrepreneurs can apply to the “Baku SME House” for business registration, obtaining licenses and permits, preparing business plans, accessing preferential financing, tax and customs services, connecting to utilities, as well as banking, insurance and other services.

In addition, the International Trade, Development and Logistics Zone established at the “Baku SME House” will provide a wide range of services related to customs procedures and import-export operations.

It was emphasized that SME Houses are one-stop centers where government and business services are provided to entrepreneurs in a centralized manner. Services are delivered based on the principles of efficiency, transparency, courtesy and convenience. Bringing business services together in one location, saving time and costs, and ensuring efficiency are among the main advantages of SME Houses.

To date, more than 170,000 services have been provided to entrepreneurs at the Khachmaz and Yevlakh SME Houses currently in operation. More than 165,000 of these were government-to-business (G2B) services, while nearly 9,000 were business-to-business (B2B) services. The satisfaction rate among entrepreneurs with SME House services stands at 98 percent.

It should be noted that increasing the role of entrepreneurship, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, in ensuring Azerbaijan’s sustainable economic development is one of the priority areas of the socio-economic policy implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. As part of systematic measures aimed at developing the private sector, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) was established under the Ministry of Economy by a presidential decree dated December 28, 2017.

KOBIA provides entrepreneurs with information, consulting, training and educational support, assistance in protecting their interests, improving access to markets and financial resources, coordinating relations with government and private organizations, as well as other forms of support and services.

These support measures and services are delivered through KOBIA’s extensive infrastructure network covering various cities and regions of the country, including SME Friends, SME Development Centers and SME Houses. SME Development Centers provide SMEs with free information, consulting, training and business-plan preparation services aimed at improving their business knowledge.

In the regions, the interests of SMEs and their access to necessary support and services are facilitated through the “SME Friend” network, which operates in 38 cities and districts across the country.

In addition, KOBIA issues a “Startup Certificate” to micro and small businesses, exempting them from profit and income tax for three years on income generated from innovation activities. The Agency also provides financial support for domestic market research, education, science, research and support projects, and helps entrepreneurs participate in exhibitions free of charge and gain access to retail networks.

Source: President of Azerbaijan — Official Source

According to Report, it was stated that “Chinar-Service” was registered as a resident of the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park in May 2022.

The company will produce compressed nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and liquid helium on an area of approximately 2 hectares within the industrial park.

The project represents an investment of 13.3 million manats and is expected to create 70 permanent jobs. In addition to being sold on the domestic market, the products are also planned to be exported to foreign countries. The industrial gases produced by “Chinar-Service” will not only meet domestic demand but will also be exported to Georgia, Türkiye, and Russia.

The President laid the foundation of the production facility.

Source: Report — News Article

The wallpaper production plant of “Mister Decor” Limited Liability Company (LLC) has been established on a 1.6-hectare area in the Aghdam Industrial Park. With an investment of 8 million manats, the enterprise is the first wallpaper production plant in Azerbaijan.

This was stated by Ali Aliyev, Director of “Mister Decor” LLC, in an interview with the regional correspondent of AZERTAC in Aghdam.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 2.1 million rolls of wallpaper and is expected to employ 76 people. The facility uses the latest technologies. Raw materials are imported from European countries and China. The designs are sourced from Italy and Germany, while the printing machines are manufactured in China.

In addition to selling its products on the domestic market, the plant plans to export them to foreign countries. Uzbekistan is currently showing interest in the plant’s products. Wallpaper produced at the plant is also being used in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.

“Mister Decor” LLC was granted resident status in the Aghdam Industrial Park in October 2022. Thanks to import, VAT and customs exemptions applied in industrial parks, the company has saved more than 400,000 manats to date.

It should be noted that President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the “Mister Decor” LLC wallpaper production plant on September 19.

Source:

The Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, informed the President and the First Lady about the work carried out at the industrial park.

The creation and expansion of industrial zones, including industrial parks and industrial districts, is one of the important directions of Azerbaijan’s economic development policy, particularly in accelerating the growth of the non-oil industrial sector.

The reintegration of the liberated territories into Azerbaijan’s economy, new opportunities for cooperation, and the growing potential of international and regional transport and logistics corridors provide additional impetus for the country’s rapid development. The economic resources, natural resources, energy sources, mineral deposits, thermal waters, raw materials for construction materials, transport and transit potential, and tourism opportunities of the liberated territories are increasing investor interest.

The strategic geographical location of Jabrayil district, its position at the junction of Karabakh and other regions, and its access to infrastructure create favorable conditions for the district to become an industrial center of Karabakh in the future. The establishment of the “Araz Valley Economic Zone” Industrial Park serves this purpose.

The “Araz Valley Economic Zone” Industrial Park was established in Jabrayil district under the management of the Agency for Development of Economic Zones in accordance with a presidential decree dated October 4, 2021. The park is planned to include a logistics and trade center, warehouse complexes, wholesale and retail facilities, a TIR park, customs facilities, a fuel station, and vehicle and machinery repair facilities.

The industrial park covers an area of 200 hectares and is located in a highly advantageous area in terms of logistics. It is situated along newly constructed highways and railway lines, which is one of its main advantages for entrepreneurs.

The industrial park currently has 13 residents and one non-resident. Investors plan to invest a total of 133.8 million manats in the park and create more than 2,000 jobs. To date, residents have already invested more than 20 million manats and created more than 40 permanent jobs.

The residents will establish production facilities for fibroconcrete and polystyrene-concrete blocks, dry construction mixtures, paving stones, various types of adhesive tapes, footwear, disinfectants, liquid detergents and bleaching solutions, as well as other products. A 40-room hotel, a restaurant for 100 people, and a logistics center will also be constructed.

Currently, one enterprise is operating at the “Araz Valley Economic Zone” Industrial Park, providing technical maintenance services for agricultural machinery and trucks.

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President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva first attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the furniture cluster of Lithuania’s “Dominari” company.

It was reported that the Lithuanian company “Dominari” has been registered as a resident of the “Araz Valley Economic Zone” Industrial Park. The company plans to implement a five-stage furniture cluster project on a 10-hectare area of the industrial park.

At the initial stage, a factory producing polyurethane foam, the main raw material for mattress production, and a textile factory supplying fabric for various stages of furniture production will be established. With an investment value of more than 50 million manats, the enterprise is expected to employ 650 people at the initial stage, primarily from Jabrayil and surrounding districts.

The company will produce 6,000 tons of flexible polyurethane, 250,000 pieces of various furniture, 1 million upholstery covers for mattresses, sofas and beds, 200,000 mattresses, and 5,500 cubic meters of furniture components annually. The products will be sold both on the domestic market and exported.

President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation of the “Dominari” furniture cluster.

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President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the “Karabakh Stone” LLC plant.

It was reported that “Karabakh Stone” LLC was registered as a resident of the “Araz Valley Economic Zone” Industrial Park in July 2024. The company will produce decorative paving stones and sidewalk curbs on a 3.5-hectare site.

The project, with an investment of 7.8 million manats, is expected to provide permanent employment for 95 people.

The enterprise will have an annual production capacity of 1.25 million square meters. Its products will primarily meet domestic demand. The plant will use Turkish technology and is planned to begin operations in 2025.

The President laid the foundation of the plant.

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President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the “Prestij-Kimya” LLC plant at the industrial park.

The company will construct a plant on a 2.15-hectare site for the production of disinfectants, liquid detergents and bleaching solutions. The enterprise, with an investment value of 5.8 million manats, is expected to provide permanent employment for 214 people.

The plant will use technologies from Turkey, China and leading European countries and is expected to produce 30,000 tons of various disinfectants, liquid detergents and bleaching products annually. The products will be sold both on the domestic and international markets.

The President laid the foundation of the plant.

Source:https://azertag.az/xeber/cebrayil_rayonunda_araz_vadisi_iqtisadi_zonasi_senaye_parkinda_yeni_muessiselerin_temeli_qoyulub__yenilenib-3211362

The Industrial Park will be divided into food industry, small-scale industry and services, large industrial enterprises, social and technical zones, a TIR park, and a construction materials sales area. It is planned to establish facilities for the production of construction materials, the packaging of agricultural products, fruit and vegetable canning, meat and dairy products, as well as wine, feed and fertilizer production and processing. Service facilities and refrigerated storage chambers are also planned.

It was noted that four regional centers are planned to be established based on the comparative advantages of the territories liberated from occupation. An industrial center will be created in Aghdam, a logistics and trade center in Jabrayil, a culture and tourism center in Shusha, and an extraction and tourism center in Kalbajar.

The industrial center to be established in Aghdam will host 33 small production and service enterprises, as well as large industrial and food industry enterprises, based on preliminary applications. Nearly 110 million manats will be invested in the center, creating 330 jobs.

Aghdam’s strategic geographical location, its proximity to other regions, its human-resource potential, and access to infrastructure significantly increase the district’s potential to become the industrial center of Karabakh in the future.

The head of state laid the foundation stone of the Aghdam Industrial Park.

Source:https://president.az/az/articles/view/51769