He Ilham Aliyev: Onward & Upward

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Please try again later.</strong>', // { // }); // return; // }); // }); //}); </script>  <div class="main-wrapper"> <table class="main "> <tbody> <tr class="hasSideBar"> <td class="wrapper wrapperArticle"> <div class="article interview hasToc"> <div class="content" id="content" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Article">  <h1 itemprop="name headline">ONWARD & UPWARD</h1> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="5/23/2016 8:56:00 AM"/> <meta itemprop="image" content="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/logo-floated.png"/> <span itemprop="publisher" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization"> <meta itemprop="logo" content="/images/logo-floated.png"/> <meta itemprop="name" content="The BusinessYear"/> </span> <div class="meta"> <strong class="black">Azerbaijan 2016</strong> | <strong itemprop="articleSection" class="articleSectorName">DIPLOMACY</strong> | <a href="">INSIDE PERSPECTIVE</a> </div> <div class="social clearfix"> <div class="socialIconsBlock"> <a href="javascript:void(0)" class="link-fb" onclick=" window.open( 'https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=' + document.URL , 'facebooksharedialog' , 'width=626,height=436' ); return" false;"> <img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-fb-bog.png" alt=""> </a> <a href="javascript:void(0)" class="link-tw" onclick="window.open("https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=He Ilham Aliyev, President of The Republic of Azerbaijan, on his nation's remarkable growth, its future trajectory, and multiculturalism. " + document.URL ,"twittersharedialog" ,"width=626,height=436" );return false;"> <img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-twitter-big.png" alt=""> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/mailto:/?subject=TBY - Onward & Upward&body=Onward & Upward - He Ilham Aliyev, President of The Republic of Azerbaijan, on his nation's remarkable growth, its future trajectory, and multiculturalism. https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/onward-upward/inside-perspective" class="link-msg"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-email.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://www.thebusinessyear.com:443/azerbaijan-2016/onward-upward/inside-perspective" target="_blank" class="link-in"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-linkedin.png" alt=""></a> </div> <div class="print" style="float: left; height: 38px; padding-top: 10px;"> <a href="javascript:window.print()"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/print-grey.png" alt=""></a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/User/Signup"><img id="bookmark-flag" src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/read-later-grey.png" alt=""></a> </div> <div class="read" style="height: 38px;padding-top: 16px; display:block; float:left;"> </div> </div> <script> function bookmark(Id) { $.post("/User/Bookmark", { "ArticleId": Id }, function () { $("#bookmark-flag").attr("onclick", "removeBookmark('" + Id + "')"); $("#bookmark-flag img").attr("src", "/images/read-later-green.png"); }) } function removeBookmark(Id) { $.post("/User/RemoveBookmark", { "ArticleId": Id }, function () { $("#bookmark-flag").attr("onclick", "bookmark('" + Id + "')"); $("#bookmark-flag img").attr("src", "/images/read-later-grey.png"); }) } </script> <h2>He Ilham Aliyev, President of The Republic of Azerbaijan, on his nation's remarkable growth, its future trajectory, and multiculturalism.</h2> <div class="alignleft"> <img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/Content/interviewee/33672b05-7f93-4ed4-b436-899d024547f2.jpg?anchor=topcenter&mode=crop&w=218&h=238" alt="He Ilham Aliyev"> <div class="bio"> <h5>BIOGRAPHY</h5> After receiving his doctorate, HE Ilham Aliyev lectured in International Relations at Moscow State University. From 1994 to 2003, President Aliyev, was the Vice-President and later the First Vice-President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and was actively involved in the implementation of President Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy. He is an author of numerous research works on the geopolitical aspects of Azerbaijan’s oil strategy. In 1995 and 2000, he was elected to the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2003, he became Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, before taking the Presidential oath of office later in the same year. </div> </div> <p>Baku has become a favourable platform for discussion of significant issues happening in the world and in the region, Nizami Ganjavi International Center transformed into a world scale international institution. The guests who participate at the forum contribute with their valuable thoughts and ideas to the cause of peace, security, predictability in the world. I think that every international forum, its level mainly depends on the list of participants. We have among our guests more than 50 acting and former heads of state and government, prominent politicians, public figures, experts. <p>The situation in the world has changed over the past year. We have all witnessed that and, unfortunately, the changes are not in the positive direction. The world didn't become more safe and secure. On the contrary, it became more dangerous. The situation in our region also changed dramatically. Existing conflicts still remain unresolved. But we have now new conflicts, new areas of confrontation and threats. Therefore, I think that our main goal is to play our role as countries, as governments, and as politicians, in order is to try to reduce the tensions, in order to try to create the grounds for cooperation, mutual understanding, and mutual respect. Otherwise, the situation will continue to deteriorate.<p>The situation in the Middle East, situation in parts of Europe, and refugee crisis - these are all realities of the recent years. Therefore, I think one of the main objectives of the 4th Global Baku Forum is to address these issues. Especially, taking into account the level of participants and their contribution to the world affairs, their experience, knowledge, that may help to find a way out from the existing situation.<div class="inlineBanner"><iframe id="a8ea4207" name="a8ea4207" src="//web.archive.org/web/20171115015633if_/https://cs70.1steasy.net/www/delivery/afr.php?zoneid=11&Page=Article&PageType=Article&cb=687171220" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="300" height="250"><a href="//web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://cs70.1steasy.net/www/delivery/ck.php?n=a297c9fe&cb=687171220" target="_blank"><img src="//web.archive.org/web/20171115015633im_/https://cs70.1steasy.net/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=11&Page=Article&PageType=Article&cb=687171220&n=a297c9fe" border="0" alt=""/></a></iframe></div><p>We are all united in one objective to promote cooperation, mutual understanding, stability, and peace because we are all inter-related. Sometimes it may seem that the dangerous events we see on TV are happening on another planet. But it is just next door. And the crisis of refugees showed that we are all inter-related and every action, every step, and every interference in internal affairs of other countries will definitely result in difficulties for those who interfere. <p>So, I think, that is the main lesson of today's reality. We all need to respect each other; we need to respect our choice, our territorial integrity, and our plans for the future. We all need to interact because the main goal is to reduce tensions and diminish existing threats. <p>This year, in 2016, Azerbaijan will celebrate the 25th anniversary Anniversary of its independence. In the early years of independence, we suffered from a civil war, from a humanitarian crisis, from occupation, aggression, economic difficulties, and actually economic collapse. Azerbaijan became a target for terrorist attacks. Armenian terrorist organizations committed numerous acts of terror against civilians in the beginning of 1990s. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, unfortunately, is has not been not resolved.<p>Azerbaijan achieved a lot of success during the years of independence, and today is developing as a modern, stable, predictable, and self-sufficient country. However, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still needs to be resolved. It needs to be resolved in order to allow a million refugees of Azerbaijan to return to their homes, needs to be resolved as well as to stop the violence and establish peace in our region because without that all the countries will suffer. Armenia, which continues to occupy illegally the historical and legal part of Azerbaijan, did not benefit from that. The economic difficulties, isolation, migration, poverty are the result of that aggression and occupation. Nagorno-Karabakh is a historic part of Azerbaijan, legal part of Azerbaijan. All international community recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. As a result of the conflict one 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons. We were a subject of ethnic cleansing, while the, occupation of almost 20% percent of our territory continues. International organizations, particularly the UN and its Security Council, adopted numerous resolutions demanding unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from the territories of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, these resolutions are not resolved, they are not implemented.<p>Of course, the mechanism of implementation of resolutions of Security Council of United Nationsthe UN, I think, should be also a special topic of discussions. In some cases, resolutions of Security Council are being implemented within hours or days. But in our case it is more than twenty 20 years that the resolutions of the UN Security Council have not been implemented. That shows that there is a lack of political will, especially of those countries which that have adopted these resolutions.<p>Today, the negotiation process continues without any successand the main reason for that is that Armenia doesn't want peace. They want to keep occupied territories under their illegal control, they want to keep status quo unchanged. But this is not possible, status quo must be changed and the countries which are chairing the negotiation process—the three permanent members of United Nations Security Council—on numerous occasions have publicly spoken about that, saying that status quo is unacceptable and must be changed. To change the status quo, Armenia needs to leave the occupied territories. In the 21st century Century, it is absolutely abnormal from all points of view—political, legal, and humanitarian—to occupy illegally the territory of a neighboring country and block the negotiation process.<p><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/Content/articles/82848650-5045-4551-a5c4-7aa4b31d95ac.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 454px; height: 302.281px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;">Therefore, I think that in order to resolve the conflict, first Azerbaijan must become stronger and second international community, especially those who have a mandate to deal with this conflict, must show the political will and force aggressor to stop occupation as we see in many other places in the world when aggressors are stopped, punished, sanctioned, and forced to stop aggression.<p>Everything is destroyed on the occupied territories. OSCE has sent twice sent a fact-finding and field assistance mission to the occupied territories and they reflected the real situation, and we know that. All our historic monuments, graves, our mosques are have been destroyed. Today, we have many TV reports about the destruction of historic monuments in the Middle East. Twenty years ago, the same happened in occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The difference is that at that time international community and media didn't pay attention to or probably didn't have access to that information. But it's the same;. The the same story, and the same approach. And this is dangerous,dangerous; this is dangerous for the future peace and security in the region because if the aggressor is not punished, then they will plan another scenario.<p>Despite this situation and also humanitarian crisis which we faced in the beginning of 1990s, Azerbaijan successfully develops. By the way, we had the highest per capita number of refugees at that time. One million people became refugees and internally displaced on their own land. At that time, the population of Azerbaijan was something more than eight 8 million. So we know how to deal with humanitarian crisis.<p>At that time Azerbaijan was different from today's Azerbaijan. It was a very poor country, just a newly-independent state, its economy was ruined, and industry had collapsed. There were no prospects for the future. So our main goal was to establish a state, to create a strong economy, to open the country for foreign investments and to become part of world market economy.<p>And that happened. Today, the country is stable, and we continue reforms. Political and, economic reforms go in Azerbaijan in parallel, while all the fundamental freedoms are provided—freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, religious freedom, and media freedom;, we have free internet and, no censorship for almost 20 years and with more than 70% percent of our citizens are internet users. Political freedoms are supported by economic reforms.<p><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/Content/articles/7ebaf01a-66ae-4bfc-9532-12f29842cb37.jpg" alt="" style="float: right; width: 445px; height: 667.5px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;">From 2004 to 2014 Azerbaijan's economy was the fastest growing economy in the world. We managed to dramatically reduce unemployment and poverty from 40 percent down to 5 percent. According to Davos World Economic Forum Azerbaijan's economy is number 40 in the world with respect to its competitiveness. We implemented many infrastructure projects including social infrastructure projects to improve living standards of our people and at the same time create better conditions for investments.<p>We were among the countries which received one of the biggest amount of per capita direct foreign investments primarily into oil and gas sector. Now our goal is to attract investors to non-oil and gas sector. Reduction of dependence on oil and gas was part of our reforms. As a result of these reforms today oil and gas makes only something more than 30% percent of our GDP and about half of our budget revenues. So the target is to completely reduce dependence on oil and gas. For Azerbaijan the post oil period already started. Not because we reduced the production but because the price of oil collapsed four times. Therefore, it is absolutely new situation. No country in the world was prepared for that. Nobody could even imagine that it will be so dramatic and the oil prices will fall four times. And it happened within one year. So we had to work very actively and efficiently in order to reduce negative impacts of this situation. Now our financial situation is again stable, predictable. Our budget is based on the price of oil of $25 dollars per barrel, which is a kind of a guarantee from any kind of economic complications. We have a substantial amount of reserves in our oil fund and that allows us to find a way out from this situation with minimum risk.<p>At the same time, this situation forces us to be more efficient with reforms., and theA big package of reforms have, which is already introduced, by the way, which have been is supported by the International Monetary Fund. We are dealing now mainly with the issues of diversification of economy, finding the new areas of economic development. One of them is transportation infrastructure. We already work in this area for many years, but it is new for international community. We are building the transportation network, which will allow Azerbaijan to have a strong position in this region in the future. <p>Our geographical position is very preferable. So investments in transportation infrastructure including railroads, airports, and seaports allow us to be a crossroad of transportation infrastructure. The East-West transportation corridor has already started to work, and hopefully this year we will finalize the connection of railroads between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Thus Europe and Asia will have a new, the shortest transportation route. The first container train from China to Europe already passed through Azerbaijan. This is a new Silkroad with a modern infrastructure, and we made a proposal to our partners to have single tariffs in transportation in order to make this route attractive.<p>Another transportation route which that we are actively working on with our neighbors and partners is North-South transportation route. This will allow cargos to be transported from Pakistan, India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Northern Europe. Azerbaijan is investing in the modern infrastructure and hopefully very soon this route also will be in operation. So all these routes are crossing our territory and, of course, this increases the geopolitical importance of our country. This will generate additional revenues, which we will use for development of our country in the future.<p>Of course, energy sector remains very important for our economy and now more important for energy security. On February 29, 2016, we had in Baku the second meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor, which we call a project of the 21st Century. It is a mega project, one of the biggest infrastructure and energy projects in Europe initiated by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan plays a leading role in that project as the initiator, organizer, and investor. This is a project of $45 billion dollar investment. We established a strong team of countries and companies.<p>The purpose of having this Advisory Council was to coordinate our efforts and to meet the targets of implementation of this project because it will be implemented in stages. Southern Gas Corridor is a project of four elements. That will allow us to connect Baku and Italian ports with a 3,500 km long pipeline.<br>Of course, it's it is a huge investment and at the same time this project needs coordination. So on February 29, eleven countries plus European Commission signed a declaration, which underlines the key and strategic role of Azerbaijan as a main enabler of the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor. We really established a team of countries. I will name the countries in accordance with the route of the pipeline: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, and Italy are members of the Southern Gas Corridor project. We have two more signatories to the declaration—Croatia and Montenegro, which, I am sure, will join the team in coming years, and also the high representatives of the governments of the US and the UK and the vice-president of European Commission. So we have 12 signatories, which actually shows that the Southern Gas Corridor is already a reality.<p>This is a project of energy security, energy diversification, and free competition. I think this is how energy projects should be implemented. Our main goal is to implement the project and to treat it as a commercial project. Sometimes issues related to energy security are too much politicized and we are against of that. Politics and energy should be separated. Energy should not be used as a political tool. At the same time, political instruments interfering into the business development also sometimes create complications.<br>Therefore, for Azerbaijan this is a project allowing to be able for decades ahead to explore its natural resources to diversified markets. For Europe, it means an additional source of gas, which Europe will need, because we all need the demand of European consumers. Though today, we see the economic difficulties in the world, and this is temporary. The price of oil will not remain at this low level. Economic growth will generate activities. Therefore, the demand for natural gas in Europe will only grow. And there will be enough room for everyone. I think that the producers also need to coordinate their efforts in order to avoid unnecessary competition because producers have their own goals and consumers have their own goals.<p>I think that in the project of Southern Gas Corridor we managed to provide the balance between producers, transit countries and consumers. So it's a win-win situation. That's why it develops successfully. To implement such a huge project with so many participants in a short period of time, at a time when the oil price is down and you have to spend billions, is a serious challenge. Energy security will definitely dominate the political agenda. I think the example which we show in the Southern Gas Corridor demonstrates that when energy and politics are separated you can achieve success.<p>This year is a year of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. For centuries people of different nationalities, ethnic roots, and religions have lived in Azerbaijan in peace and dignity. We are proud that during the years of independence these positive tendencies became only stronger. Multiculturalism, religious tolerance is a state policy in Azerbaijan. And at the same time, this is a reflection of the mood of the society. And that's important because the state policy and general atmosphere in Azerbaijan in this respect is not different. <br>In 2008, we launched Baku process when we invited the ministers of culture of members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to participate at the meeting of the ministers of culture of members of the Council of Europe for the first time. Now, Baku process became a reality. We organize numerous events in Azerbaijan, promoting the values of multiculturalism—World Religious Leaders' Summit and, several International Humanitarian and Intercultural Dialogue forums. In a month, this April 2016, we will hosted the 7th Global Forum of Alliance of Civilizations organized by UN.<p>Azerbaijan's experience in this area is highly appreciated by leading international organizations, international community, and it demonstrates that multiculturalism is alive, it has a future. But politicians, those who can influence on public opinion, including media representatives must be more responsible. Of course, I think that the role of the media in this respect must be more positive because unfortunately, what we see in the news mainly is pictures of confrontation, refugee crisis and difficulties in that regard.<p>This leads only to alienation. We cannot afford alienation because we are all interconnected, we are all living on the same planet and the distance between Europe and the Middle East as we all see is not very far. And even if it is far, it does not prevent people from finding or trying to find shelter and save their lives and, lives of their families. Therefore, I think concentration on the positive examples of multiculturalism and promotion of these values will help all of us because no country, no nation can live in isolation. We are all interconnected. Absolute majority of the countries of the world have multi-ethnic, multi-religious population. We must be proud of that.<br>In early 2016, we were celebrating the inauguration of Imamzade religious and historic monument after restoration, renovation, and new construction. It is one of the sacred places in the Muslim World, which situated in Ganja, the motherland of Nizami Ganjavi, and which a place Azerbaijani people have protected since the 8th Century. The new mosque was build built there, and I invited all representatives from all the regions of Azerbaijan and at that ceremony along with myself other speakers were leaders of traditional religions of Azerbaijan, including the leaders of Azerbaijani Muslims, the leader of Azerbaijani-Russian Orthodox Church, the leader of Azerbaijani-Jewish community, and leader ofthe Catholic Church. They not only participated, but spoke in front of the audience. Then, we jointly moved into the newly-built mosque, and were there together. This is how it works in our country. That was a message to our society, that was a message to our people, and that was a message to our the world.<p>A couple of months earlier, in one of the biggest mosques of Azerbaijan, Shia and Sunni Muslims prayed together. It was named a Unity Namaz (Prayer) for the first time. This also demonstrates the real situation here, where there is no distinction neither inside the Muslim community, nor inside our society. And this is a reality of Azerbaijan, this is probably one of our biggest assets and this is a main guarantee for successful development because without this consensus, without unity we cannot achieve success. And we want to achieve more success, we want to continue to modernize our country and only based on these common values of friendship, multiculturalism, we can achieve that.<p>Last year, in 2015, Azerbaijan hosted the inaugural European Games, in 2012 we hosted Eurovision Song contest, and Baku was announced the capital of Islamic culture and next year we will host Islamic Solidarity Games. Azerbaijan is a member of Council of Europe, member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It is a bridge between cultures, between traditions, between religions. This is our responsibility. We play this role first of all in order to ensure successful development of our country and also in order to create most stable and predictable situation in the region.  <br/> <div class="articleFooterSection clearfix">  <h1 itemprop="name headline">ONWARD & UPWARD</h1> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="5/23/2016 8:56:00 AM"/> <meta itemprop="image" content="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/logo-floated.png"/> <span itemprop="publisher" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization"> <meta itemprop="logo" content="/images/logo-floated.png"/> <meta itemprop="name" content="The BusinessYear"/> </span> <div class="meta"> <strong class="black">Azerbaijan 2016</strong> | <strong itemprop="articleSection" class="articleSectorName">DIPLOMACY</strong> | <a href="">INSIDE PERSPECTIVE</a> </div> <div class="social clearfix"> <div class="socialIconsBlock"> <a href="javascript:void(0)" class="link-fb" onclick=" window.open( 'https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=' + document.URL , 'facebooksharedialog' , 'width=626,height=436' ); return" false;"> <img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-fb-bog.png" alt=""> </a> <a href="javascript:void(0)" class="link-tw" onclick="window.open("https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=He Ilham Aliyev, President of The Republic of Azerbaijan, on his nation's remarkable growth, its future trajectory, and multiculturalism. 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The first Azerbaijan Defence Exhibition (ADEX 2014), drew over 200 companies from 34 countries, including Russia and the US.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/operation-outreach/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem selected"> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/onward-upward/inside-perspective"> <p class="itemType"> Inside Perspective</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ONWARD & UPWARD">He Ilham Aliyev, President, The Republic of Azerbaijan</p> <p class="itemDescription">He Ilham Aliyev, President of The Republic of Azerbaijan, on his nation's remarkable growth, its future trajectory, and multiculturalism.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/onward-upward/inside-perspective" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/strengths-advantages/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="STRENGTHS ADVANTAGES">Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister, Foreign Affairs</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the pillars of its foreign policy and ties with Latin America.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/strengths-advantages/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/got-it-covered/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GOT IT COVERED">Col-Gen Kamaladdin Heydarov, Minister, Emergency Situations</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Col-Gen Kamaladdin Heydarov, Minister of Emergency Situations, on how the Ministry deals with major events at home and abroad and new regulations implemented in the construction sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/got-it-covered/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/powerful-perspectives/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Year of Multiculturalism</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="POWERFUL PERSPECTIVES">Powerful Perspectives</p> <p class="itemDescription">President Ilham Aliyev has declared 2016 the Year of Multiculturalism for Azerbaijan in an effort to promote and spread the country's long and diverse cultural heritage.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/powerful-perspectives/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/learning-from-experience/guest-speaker"> <p class="itemType"> Guest Speaker</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE">Heinz Fischer, President, Austria</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Heinz Fischer, President of Austria, on how the two countries can work together in developing the agriculture, tourism, and transport sectors.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/learning-from-experience/guest-speaker" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/practical-benefits/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="PRACTICAL BENEFITS">Raimonds Vjonis, President, Latvia</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Raimonds Vjonis, President of Latvia, on the strength of ties between the two countries.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/practical-benefits/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/excellent-friendly/guest-speaker"> <p class="itemType"> Guest Speaker</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="EXCELLENT & FRIENDLY">Bakir Izetbegovic, President, Bosnia and Herzegovina</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Bakir Izetbegovic, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the warm culture of hospitality between the two nations and opportunities abound for curious Azerbaijanis.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/excellent-friendly/guest-speaker" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/strong-pact/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: NATO & Azerbaijan</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="STRONG PACT">Strong Pact</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan and NATO share a long, multi-faceted history of mutual cooperation and collaboration in the international and regional security arena, as well as in civil planning, disaster relief preparation, and more.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/strong-pact/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/revving-up/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="REVVING UP">Bernie Ecclestone, CEO , Formula One Group</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Bernie Ecclestone, Chief Executive of the Formula One Group, on the myriad of benefits and opportunities the Formula One Grand Prix will bring to the streets of Baku.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/revving-up/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="ECONOMY">ECONOMY</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/roll-out-the-barrel/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Economy</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ROLL OUT THE BARREL">Roll Out The Barrel</p> <p class="itemDescription">Aggressive capital controls and tighter regulation are complementing a push to diversify as Azerbaijan looks past the oil era to a new economic reality.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/roll-out-the-barrel/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/am-azing/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="AM-AZING">Ilgar Veliyev, President of the Board of Directors, American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AMCHAM)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Ilgar Veliyev, President of the Board of Directors of American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AMCHAM), on trade tides.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/am-azing/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-systems-go/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ALL SYSTEMS GO">Shahin Mustafayev, Minister, Economy</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Economy, on developing SMEs, attracting foreign investment, and how the country is diversifying its economy.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-systems-go/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/we-know-what-to-do/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="WE KNOW WHAT TO DO">Shahmar Movsumov, CEO, State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Shahmar Movsumov, CEO of State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), on changes in the Fund's portfolio, financial investments, and CSR projects.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/we-know-what-to-do/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/youre-going-to-love-it/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT ">Elmar Rustam oglu Valiyev, Mayor, Ganja</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elmar Rustam oglu Valiyev, Mayor of Ganja, on being selected as the European Youth Capital for 2016, tourism, and the developing of a technology park.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/youre-going-to-love-it/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/bring-the-money/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Intensifying Investments</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BRING THE MONEY">Bring The Money</p> <p class="itemDescription">FDI has experienced a marked increase in Azerbaijan over 2015.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/bring-the-money/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-good-example/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A GOOD EXAMPLE">HE Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to HE Hamad Buamim, President &amp; CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on being an example for Azerbaijan.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-good-example/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/invest-it/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="INVEST IT"> Rufat Mammadov, President, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Rufat Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), on large-scale events and their ability to attract FDI and the potential Iran may hold.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/invest-it/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-the-upsides/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ALL THE UPSIDES">Mir Jamal Pashayev, Director, PASHA Holding</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Mir Jamal Pashayev, Director of PASHA Holding, on organizing a large, multi-faceted group, private equity services, and growth sectors.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-the-upsides/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/getting-it-done/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GETTING IT DONE">Adigozal Agayev, Chairman of the Executive Board, AtaHolding</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Adigozal Agayev, Chairman of the Executive Board at AtaHolding, on the company's role in different sectors, international cooperation, and the recent elections.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/getting-it-done/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/2020-vision/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Economic Development Strategy</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="20/20 VISION">20/20 Vision</p> <p class="itemDescription">With the rapid pace of development taking place in virtually all sectors of Azerbaijan, the government has formulated a development concept based on the vision for the country in 2020.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/2020-vision/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-driving-factor/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE DRIVING FACTOR">Gudrat Seyfullayev, Executive Director, Synergy Group</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Gudrat Seyfullayev, Executive Director of Synergy Group, on the organization's diversification strategy, agro-business, and its investments and contribution to sports.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-driving-factor/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/got-it/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GOT IT">Xaliq Ismayilov, General Director, Safe Life</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Xaliq Ismayilov, General Director of Safe Life, on fire safety services and products, upcoming events, and security systems.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/got-it/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/here-to-deliver-your-targets/communique"> <p class="itemType"> Communiqué</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="HERE TO DELIVER YOUR TARGETS">Here to Deliver Your Targets</p> <p class="itemDescription">United Business Media (UBM) Group is a private company with more than 18 years of professional experience, providing services to local and international public and private customers, as well as other non-profit organizations.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/here-to-deliver-your-targets/communique" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-touch-of-class/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A TOUCH OF CLASS"> Ilgar Ismayilov, General Director, İDEAL Kompani</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Ilgar Ismayilov, General Director of İDEAL Kompani, on being a leader in the market, new innovations, and how to maintain the company's market share.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-touch-of-class/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="FINANCE">FINANCE</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/more-interest/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Banking</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="MORE INTEREST">More Interest</p> <p class="itemDescription">In a sector faced with relatively flat growth for 2015-16, new opportunities are still there aplenty, led by the nascent Islamic banking sector, e-banking, and microfinance initiatives. Together, these areas should make banking more diversified and less reliant on a buoyant energy sector for its capital inlay.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/more-interest/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-in-the-numbers/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ALL IN THE NUMBERS">Fazil Mammadov, Minister of Taxes, Azerbaijan</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Fazil Mammadov, Minister of Taxes, on creating sustainable development, amendments to the tax code, and how to attract FDI.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-in-the-numbers/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/banking-on-the-caspian/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BANKING ON THE CASPIAN">Taleh Kazimov, CEO & Chairman of the Executive Board, PASHA Bank</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Taleh Kazimov, CEO &amp; Chairman of the Executive Board of PASHA Bank, on growth at home and abroad.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/banking-on-the-caspian/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/bank-on-azerbaijan/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BANK ON AZERBAIJAN">Elmar Mammadov, Chairman of the Board , Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elmar Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), on privatization measures, restructuring, and SME development.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/bank-on-azerbaijan/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/e-rise/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: E-Commerce</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="E-RISE">E-Rise</p> <p class="itemDescription">The e-commerce industry in Azerbaijan has been steadily rising, and has at least doubled in volume for the past two years in a row.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/e-rise/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/help-is-here/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="HELP IS HERE ">Etibar Babashli, Chairman of the Board , AtaBank</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Etibar Babashli, Chairman of the Board of AtaBank, on supporting entrepreneurs, working for security, and targets for 2016.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/help-is-here/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/taking-stock/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Capital Markets</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="TAKING STOCK">Taking Stock</p> <p class="itemDescription">As Azerbaijan grapples with the knock-on effects of low hydrocarbon prices, the Baku Stock Exchange (BSE) finds itself at the center of the country's efforts to stave off a budget deficit this year. In January, the government announced plans to sell $500 million worth of bonds on the BSE.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/taking-stock/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/call-to-market/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="CALL TO MARKET ">Fariz Azizov, Chairman of the Executive Board, Baku Stock Exchange (BSE)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Fariz Azizov, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Baku Stock Exchange (BSE), on the main developments in the capital markets.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/call-to-market/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/unlocking-growth/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: MSME Support</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="UNLOCKING GROWTH">Unlocking Growth</p> <p class="itemDescription">As a key to success in Azerbaijan's economy, the financial landscape needs to change to allow greater MSME growth.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/unlocking-growth/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/financing-new-growth/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="FINANCING NEW GROWTH">Financing New Growth</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan is venturing into new domains and the finance is there to follow.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/financing-new-growth/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/line-em-up/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Insurance</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="LINE 'EM UP">Line 'em Up</p> <p class="itemDescription">When it comes to the insurance sector, the authorities certainly have a finger on the pulse, with solid regulation providing growth prospects across the board.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/line-em-up/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/cooperation-beats-competition/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="COOPERATION BEATS COMPETITION">Alexandr Kananadze, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AZSIGORTA</p> <p class="itemDescription"><strong></strong>TBY talks to Alexandr Kananadze, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AZSIGORTA, on maximizing coverage and leading by example.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/cooperation-beats-competition/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="ENERGY">ENERGY</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/looking-at-alternatives/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Energy</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES">Looking At Alternatives</p> <p class="itemDescription">Diminishing oil output coupled with stubbornly low prices call for some fresh thinking on Azerbaijan's energy policy. The Southern Corridor, linking Azerbaijan to Europe, and fresh investment offer brighter prospects for 2020.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/looking-at-alternatives/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/shape-up/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="SHAPE UP">Natiq Aliyev, Minister, Energy</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Natiq Aliyev, Minister of Energy, on how the Ministry will be improving the energy efficiency of the country as well as how it is dealing with the challenges of low oil prices.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/shape-up/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/refined-tastes/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="REFINED TASTES ">Rovnag Abdullayev, President, SOCAR</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Rovnag Abdullayev, President of SOCAR, on recent milestones, developing fields, and going downstream with the STAR refinery in Turkey.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/refined-tastes/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/going-underground/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GOING UNDERGROUND">Gordon Birrell, Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, BP</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Gordon Birrell, BP's Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, on Shah Deniz, the ACG Field, and the company as a corporate citizen.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/going-underground/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/growth-platform/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GROWTH PLATFORM">Hamid Hasanov, General Manager, AZFEN J.V.</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Hamid Hasanov, General Manager of AZFEN J.V., on the firm's major projects, growth plans abroad, and the 20th anniversary of the company.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/growth-platform/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/oil-crystal-ball/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Oil Forecast</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="OIL CRYSTAL BALL">Oil Crystal Ball</p> <p class="itemDescription">The global oil forecast calls for subdued optimism alongside a healthy dosage of patience for Azerbaijan.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/oil-crystal-ball/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/exploration-production/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION">Exploration & Production</p> <p class="itemDescription">A rich field of partnerships is developing Azerbaijan's resources.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/exploration-production/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/petrol-powerhouse/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="PETROL POWERHOUSE">Petrol Powerhouse</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azpetrol has grown into the market leader in Azerbaijan for the retail and wholesale of petrol, diesel, and gas.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/petrol-powerhouse/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/oilfield-services/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="OILFIELD SERVICES ">Oilfield Services </p> <p class="itemDescription">Oilfield services are working hard to ensure low extraction prices for Azerbaijan.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/oilfield-services/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/piping-up/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="PIPING UP">Azer N. Isayev, Director, Caspian Pipe Coatings (CPC)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Azer N. Isayev, Director of Caspian Pipe Coatings (CPC), on major international projects, logistics services, and goals for 2016.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/piping-up/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-use-for-everything/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A USE FOR EVERYTHING ">Pierre-Yves de Bakker, Plant Director, WTE Plant at CNIM Azerbaijan</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Pierre-Yves de Bakker, Plant Director of the WTE Plant at CNIM Azerbaijan, on the specifications of the plant and how it works to protect the environment.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-use-for-everything/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/working-hard/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="WORKING HARD "> Faik Rzayev, General Director, Encotec</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Faik Rzayev, General Director of Encotec, on the growth of the firm, the construction of the Baku shipyard, and servicing companies outside of the oil and gas sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/working-hard/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/platform-hopping/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="PLATFORM HOPPING ">Brian Garrad, Acting Director, Caspian Marine Services (CMS)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Brian Garrad, Acting Director of Caspian Marine Services (CMS), on innovations, partnerships, and challenges to running an offshore company in the Caspian region.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/platform-hopping/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="INDUSTRY & MINING">INDUSTRY & MINING</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/in-the-bag/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Industry & Mining</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="IN THE BAG">In The Bag</p> <p class="itemDescription">Industry in Azerbaijan is long established, diversified, and, in many areas, fast growing. Together, these qualities make the sector well placed to see through the global slump in commodity prices, while at home, the manufacturing industry continues to find ways to use its hydrocarbons expertise in other fields, including high technologies and research.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/in-the-bag/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/beer-me/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BEER ME">Sergey Tolmachev, CEO , Baltika-Baku Brewery</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Sergey Tolmachev, CEO of Baltika-Baku Brewery, on the beer sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/beer-me/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/advocates-of-nature/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ADVOCATES OF NATURE">Huseyn Bagirov, Minister, Ecology and Natural Resources</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Huseyn Bagirov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, on how the Ministry is protecting the environment while at the same time allowing business to prosper.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/advocates-of-nature/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/well-mobilized/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="WELL MOBILIZED ">Sarkhan Babayev, General Manager, Detal Holding</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Sarkhan Babayev, General Director of Detal Holding, on the role of the business in a diverse economy.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/well-mobilized/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-new-age/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: A New Industry</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A NEW AGE">A New Age</p> <p class="itemDescription">Playing a vital role in diversification, the industrial sector is achieving unprecedented levels of growth both in terms of production and in the number of enterprises operating in the sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-new-age/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/bright-spark/inside-perspective"> <p class="itemType"> Inside Perspective</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BRIGHT SPARK">Farid Farhadzade, CEO , Goknur Baku</p> <p class="itemDescription">Farid Farhadzade, CEO of Goknur Baku, on the role the firm plays in the Azerbaijani economy and plans for the future.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/bright-spark/inside-perspective" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/in-top-gear/inside-perspective"> <p class="itemType"> Inside Perspective</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="IN TOP GEAR">Rahib Huseynaga , Director, GBS</p> <p class="itemDescription">Rahib Huseynaga Rzayev, Director of GBS, on the growth and development of the company and the services it offers.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/in-top-gear/inside-perspective" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/build-it/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BUILD IT">Elshad Abbasov, General Director, Embawood</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elshad Abbasov, General Director of Embawood, on the company's presence, major events coming to the country, and plans for 2016.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/build-it/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/top-of-the-assembly/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY">Khanlar Fatiyev, , Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Ganja Automobile Plant Production Association</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Khanlar Fatiyev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Ganja Automobile Plant Production Association, on the role of the plant in driving growth in the non-oil sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/top-of-the-assembly/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/automotive-services/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES">Automotive Services</p> <p class="itemDescription">International brand leaders discuss adapting to the local markets.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/automotive-services/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/in-the-mix/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Petrochemical Push </p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="IN THE MIX">In the Mix</p> <p class="itemDescription">The expanding petrochemical market in Azerbaijan looks to increase both the export potential of the country and import substitution efforts.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/in-the-mix/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/exporters/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="EXPORTERS">Exporters</p> <p class="itemDescription">Key exporters explain the barriers they have to overcome in supplying foreign markets.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/exporters/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/glass-act/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GLASS ACT">Bakhtiyar Bashirov, President, Glass House</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Bakhtiyar Bashirov President of Glass House, on the glass sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/glass-act/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="INDUSTRY">INDUSTRY</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/release-the-brakes/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Joint automotive production</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="RELEASE THE BRAKES">Release the Brakes</p> <p class="itemDescription">Surrounded by the two automotive hubs of Iran and Turkey, Azerbaijan's car manufacturing industry is gaining momentum and set to boost the non-oil export potential of the country.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/release-the-brakes/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="TELECOMS & IT">TELECOMS & IT</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/click-here/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Telecoms & IT</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="CLICK HERE">Click Here</p> <p class="itemDescription">As the most profitable sector after hydrocarbons and one of the fastest growing, IT is the place to be in 2016. For Azerbaijan, the future really is digital.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/click-here/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/time-to-get-going/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="TIME TO GET GOING">R. Guluzadeh, Minister, Communications and High Technologies</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to R. Guluzadeh, Minister of Communications and High Technologies, on satellite development, e-government services, and the encouragement of start-ups.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/time-to-get-going/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/down-the-wire/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="DOWN THE WIRE">Vahid Mursaliyev, CEO , Azercell</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Vahid Mursaliyev, CEO of Azercell, on the new Express Office model, being involved in major events, and how the company plans to expand its penetration of high-speed mobile internet.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/down-the-wire/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-lte-bite/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A LTE BITE"> Kent McNeley, CEO , Azerfon</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Kent McNeley, CEO of Azerfon, on LTE-A technology, rebranding, and bringing Nar into the home for television and internet.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-lte-bite/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-nice-reception/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A NICE RECEPTION">Samir Gurbanov, President, AG Telecom</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Samir Gurbanov, President of AG Telecom, on the active developments of the company over the past 10 years and the successful penetration of the regional market.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-nice-reception/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-front-line/communique"> <p class="itemType"> Communiqué</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE FRONT LINE">The Front Line</p> <p class="itemDescription">Delta Telecom is at the forefront of ICT infrastructure and services in Azerbaijan and the region; however, it is not content to rest on its laurels and is expanding services both in terms of capacity and quality.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-front-line/communique" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/reach-out/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: TASIM</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="REACH OUT ">Reach Out </p> <p class="itemDescription">The construction of TASIM will provide a major boost to the ICT sectors of all the countries it impacts and aims to bring affordable high-speed internet to Azerbaijan.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/reach-out/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/go-safe-be-free/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GO SAFE, BE FREE ">Jalal Orujov, Executive Director, MilliKart Group</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Jalal Orujov, Executive Director of MilliKart Group, on the role the service is playing in Azerbaijan and the rise of the cashless society.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/go-safe-be-free/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/time-to-feature/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Ali and Nino </p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="TIME TO FEATURE">Time to Feature</p> <p class="itemDescription">Ali and Nino, a story among the most beloved in the literary canon of Azerbaijan and widely considered the country's national novel, was recently made into a feature film.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/time-to-feature/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/made-by-you/communique"> <p class="itemType"> Communiqué</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="MADE BY YOU…">Made by You…</p> <p class="itemDescription">MLM Mindset: ESSE is the first national Multi-Level Marketing company in Azerbaijan.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/made-by-you/communique" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/local-media/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="LOCAL MEDIA">Local Media</p> <p class="itemDescription">The demand has grown for media companies to produce high-quality news and analysis for Azerbaijan and further afield.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/local-media/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/technology-players/vox-populi"> <p class="itemType"> Vox Populi</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="TECHNOLOGY PLAYERS">Technology Players</p> <p class="itemDescription"></p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/technology-players/vox-populi" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-online/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ALL ONLINE">Dr. Elchin R. Aliyev, President, SINAM Ltd.</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Dr. Elchin R. Aliyev, President of SINAM, on e-government.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-online/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="TRANSPORT">TRANSPORT</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-new-node/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Transport</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE NEW NODE">The New Node</p> <p class="itemDescription">With major new railways linking the region, the opening of the new Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex, the completion of a massive program of road building and upgrading, investment in state-of-the-art fleets ranging from Boeing 787s to rail locomotives, Azerbaijan can rightly claim the title as the Caucasus' transportation hub.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-new-node/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/global-connection/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GLOBAL CONNECTION">John Quinn, Regional Director , ACE Forwarding Caspian</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to John Quinn, Regional Director of ACE Forwarding Caspian, on the sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/global-connection/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/connecting-the-dots/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="CONNECTING THE DOTS ">Javid Gurbanov, Chairman of the Board , Azerbaijan Railways</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Javid Gurbanov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways, on revolutionizing Azerbaijan's rail links and the key aspects of diversifying the economy.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/connecting-the-dots/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/it-will-be-big/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: BTK Railway</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="IT WILL BE BIG">It Will Be Big</p> <p class="itemDescription">The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway will change the transport landscape of the Caspian region.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/it-will-be-big/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-high-life/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE HIGH LIFE"> Jahangir Askerov, President, CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Jahangir Askerov, President of CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), on reducing airfares, its four-star Skytrax rating, and the company's new route to New York.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-high-life/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/cargo-cajoling/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Green Corridors</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="CARGO CAJOLING ">Cargo Cajoling </p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan is creating green corridors to facilitate an increase in cargo transportation, part of country-wide transportation initiatives.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/cargo-cajoling/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/shifting-gears/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="SHIFTING GEARS">Alikhan Ali-zade, Director, AZ Logistics</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Alikhan Ali-zade, Director of AZ Logistics, on expanding its service offerings, meeting global quality standards, and linking with the worldwide logistics network.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/shifting-gears/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE">CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/moving-on-up/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Construction & Real Estate</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="MOVING ON UP">Moving On Up</p> <p class="itemDescription">The increasing purchasing power of Azerbaijanis is driving demand for higher quality housing. And with prices low, the buyers are winning.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/moving-on-up/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-roads-lead-to-baku/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ALL ROADS LEAD TO BAKU">Kamil Aliyev, Executive Director, AzVirt</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Kamil Aliyev, Executive Director of AzVirt, on the company's major projects both at home and abroad.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-roads-lead-to-baku/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/electric-avenue/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Electronic Property Registration </p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ELECTRIC AVENUE">Electric Avenue</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan has unveiled a new electronic property registration system that it hopes will streamline the process of real estate registration.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/electric-avenue/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/building-materials/forum"> <p class="itemType"> Forum</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BUILDING MATERIALS">Building Materials</p> <p class="itemDescription">Construction companies in Azerbaijan are working hard to meet local demand, expanding their capacity and exploring how those products and services can be sent further afield.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/building-materials/forum" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/mall-overhaul/communique"> <p class="itemType"> Communiqué</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="MALL OVERHAUL">Mall Overhaul</p> <p class="itemDescription">The Ganja Shopping Mall project is set to transform the shopping environment in the region and create many new opportunities for the city and its citizens.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/mall-overhaul/communique" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="AGRICULTURE">AGRICULTURE</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/lots-more/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Agriculture</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="LOTS MORE">Lots More</p> <p class="itemDescription">Farms across the country are pursuing a policy of increased yields for year-round fruit and in the wheat harvest to stave off an over-reliance on imports. With carefully targeted increases in exports, better routes to port and to market, and greater sophistication of agricultural facilities, farming could soon be the morning star of Azerbaijan's diversified economy.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/lots-more/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-fresh-crop/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A FRESH CROP">Heydar Asadov, Minister, Agriculture</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Heydar Asadov, Minister of Agriculture, on the results of the Year of Agriculture, reforms in the sector, and a new electronic system.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-fresh-crop/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-whole-spectrum/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE WHOLE SPECTRUM ">Savaş Uzan, CEO , Azersun Holding</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Savaş Uzan, CEO of Azersun Holding, on expanding its businesses at home and abroad.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-whole-spectrum/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-about-the-stock/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: The Year of Agriculture</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ALL ABOUT THE STOCK">all About the Stock</p> <p class="itemDescription">Various policies enacted by the government have expanded and repositioned the agricultural sector, creating a framework for future growth.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/all-about-the-stock/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/dionysus-for-a-day/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="DIONYSUS FOR A DAY "> Namig Mammadov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Ganja Sharab-2</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Namig Mammadov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ganja Sharab-2, on the development of viticulture and how wine can promote Azerbaijan to the world.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/dionysus-for-a-day/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/cotton-kings/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Cotton Industry</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="COTTON KINGS">Cotton Kings</p> <p class="itemDescription">Formerly a powerhouse industry, Azerbaijan seeks to restore cotton production in the country to levels during its operational prime.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/cotton-kings/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/you-are-really-spoiling-us/communique"> <p class="itemType"> Communiqué</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="YOU ARE REALLY SPOILING US">You Are Really Spoiling Us</p> <p class="itemDescription">AZNAR is using the pomegranate, Azerbaijan's national fruit, to help diversify the country's economy as well as spread the word throughout the region and beyond of the high-quality products that Azerbaijan produces.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/you-are-really-spoiling-us/communique" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/growing-stronger-branches/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="GROWING STRONGER BRANCHES ">Elshad Rasulov, Chairman of the Board, Atropatena</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elshad Rasulov, Chairman of the Board of Atropatena, on what is being done to develop a culture of sustainability and the effect of the devaluation on competitiveness.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/growing-stronger-branches/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/wine-making/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="WINE MAKING">Wine Making</p> <p class="itemDescription">Winemaking is an ancient art form and Azerbaijan is looking to rekindle the fire and get its wine on lists around the world.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/wine-making/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="LABOR, HEALTH & EDUCATION">LABOR, HEALTH & EDUCATION</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/under-one-umbrella/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Health</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="UNDER ONE UMBRELLA">Under One Umbrella</p> <p class="itemDescription">Life expectancy at birth (2015) is 75 years for women and 70 for men. The median age is 30. For both sexes, longevity increased by six years between 2000 and 2012. Azerbaijan is a relatively youthful country—an important factor in healthcare—with 22% of its populace aged under 15 and just 9% aged over 60.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/under-one-umbrella/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/power-on/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="POWER ON">Kamil Guliyev, General Director, VITTA Scientific Technical Company</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Kamil Guliyev, General Director of VITTA Scientific Technical Company, on electricity sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/power-on/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/safe-secure/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="SAFE & SECURE">Salim Muslumov, Minister, Labor and Social Protection of Population</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Salim Muslumov, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population, on the work the Ministry is doing to ensure socioeconomic development and social protection.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/safe-secure/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-steady-hand/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A STEADY HAND">Ogtay Shiraliyev, Minister of Health, Azerbaijan</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Ogtay Shiraliyev, Minister of Health, on the new Health Cards, international cooperation and training programs, and progress in the sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-steady-hand/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/pharma-possibilities/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Pharmaceuticals</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="PHARMA POSSIBILITIES">Pharma Possibilities</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan is working to take steps toward achieving greater independence in a national pharmaceutical industry, currently dominated by imports.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/pharma-possibilities/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/baku-to-school/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Education</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BAKU TO SCHOOL">Baku to School</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan's culture has always harbored a deep respect for educational values. This is embodied in the country's Azerbaijan 2020 mission statement, which seeks to raise standards across the sector and introduce ICT as a standard part of the learning experience at all levels.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/baku-to-school/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/universities/b2b"> <p class="itemType"> B2B</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="UNIVERSITIES ">Universities </p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan's universities are rising to the challenges of both increasing academic excellence and fulfilling the needs of industry.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/universities/b2b" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-globalized-system/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A GLOBALIZED SYSTEM">Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister, Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on expanding to Russia, improving standards, and how it is developing non-oil sector education.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-globalized-system/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/time-to-learn/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="TIME TO LEARN">Adalat J. Muradov, Regional Director , Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Adalat J. Muradov, Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), on the international aspect of the university and attracting the right faculty staff.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/time-to-learn/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="SPORTS & TOURISM">SPORTS & TOURISM</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/wishing-i-were-there/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Sports & Tourism</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="WISHING I WERE THERE">Wishing I Were There</p> <p class="itemDescription">Travel and tourism in Azerbaijan has made significant progress in the past few years, and attracted 2.1 million visitors in 2015. The government is launching a new strategy to promote Azerbaijan's attractions to the world.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/wishing-i-were-there/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/stay-with-me/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="STAY WITH ME">Clive Smith, Cluster General Manager, Boulevard Hotel</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Clive Smith, Cluster General Manager of Boulevard Hotel, on the hospitality sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/stay-with-me/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/attendance-figures/column"> <p class="itemType"> Column</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="ATTENDANCE FIGURES">Emin Hashimov, Director, Administration of the Shahdag Winter-Summer Tourism Complex</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Emin Hashimov, Director of Administration of the Shahdag Winter-Summer Tourism Complex, on the tourism sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/attendance-figures/column" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-right-formula/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE RIGHT FORMULA">Azad Rahimov, Minister, Youth and Sports</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports, on how hosting international sporting events has and will continue to boost the profile of Azerbaijan and its athletes.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-right-formula/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-weekend-in-baku/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="A WEEKEND IN BAKU">Abulfas Garayev,, Minister, Culture and Tourism</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism, on hosting major international events, attracting tourists to the country, and how the Ministry promotes the country.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/a-weekend-in-baku/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/participate-win/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="PARTICIPATE & WIN">Elkhan Mammadov,, Secretary General, Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA)</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elkhan Mammadov, Secretary General of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), on the experience Azerbaijan is gaining in hosting international events.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/participate-win/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/drive-for-success/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Formula 1</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="DRIVE FOR SUCCESS">Drive for Success</p> <p class="itemDescription">Azerbaijan is set to be the host for the 2016 Formula One Grand Prix of Europe, one of the most watched sporting events in the world.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/drive-for-success/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/visitors-welcome/focus"> <p class="itemType"> Focus: Tourism Revamp</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="VISITORS WELCOME">Visitors Welcome</p> <p class="itemDescription">The tourism industry in Azerbaijan is making positive changes to increase activity in the sector.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/visitors-welcome/focus" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/young-inspired/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="YOUNG & INSPIRED ">Elmir Valiyev, Chairman, Ganja European Youth Capital Public Union</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Elmir Valiyev, Chairman of the Ganja European Youth Capital Public Union, on what Ganja will bring to the Youth Capital institution.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/young-inspired/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/built-by-giants/photo-essay"> <p class="itemType"> Photo Essay: Ganja Region</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="BUILT BY GIANTS">Built by Giants</p> <p class="itemDescription">Bursting with history and tradition, the Ganja Region embodies everything that makes Azerbaijan such a unique place to visit. And with Ganja City crowned European Youth Capital for 2016, all eyes will be on this picturesque destination.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/built-by-giants/photo-essay" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/scenes-to-see/photo-essay"> <p class="itemType"> Photo Essay: Qusar</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="SCENES TO SEE">Scenes to See</p> <p class="itemDescription">Qusar is a hidden treasure that embodies all that Azerbaijan has to offer in terms of environment and culture.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/scenes-to-see/photo-essay" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="category "> <div class="heading" data-categoryname="EXECUTIVE GUIDE">EXECUTIVE GUIDE</div> <div class="articles"> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/az-a-z/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Doing Business</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="AZ, A-Z">Az, A-Z</p> <p class="itemDescription">A short yet vital overview of key information with which to be briefed before setting to work in Azerbaijan: from red tape and regulation, to day-to-day customs and the etiquette of business life in the country.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/az-a-z/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-thick-of-it/review"> <p class="itemType"> Review: Legal</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="THE THICK OF IT">The Thick of It</p> <p class="itemDescription">Establishing a company in a foreign country can be a complicated and difficult task; however, Azerbaijan has made it as easy as possible by removing cumbersome bureaucracy.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/the-thick-of-it/review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item cItem "> <div class="cItemContent"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/safe-hands/interview"> <p class="itemType"> Interview</p> <p class="itemTitle" data-itemtitle="SAFE HANDS ">Arzu Hajiyeva, Partner , Tax & Law Department at Ernst & Young</p> <p class="itemDescription">TBY talks to Arzu Hajiyeva, Partner of Tax &amp; Law Department at Ernst &amp; Young, on the role the firm plays in Azerbaijan and the significance of the country.</p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2016/safe-hands/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="block-articleSeeAlso clearfix"> <h2>SEE ALSO</h2> <div class="item item-1 active"> <p class="nextLabel" style="color:red;opacity:0;">Up next ... </p> <div class="editorsPick box sectorId_552ef2b03616181268784055"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2012/song-of-change/year-in-review"> <div class="verticlal-box-textalign"> <img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/Content/articles/004_512_03_b.jpg?anchor=topcenter&mode=crop&w=172&h=213" alt="Song of Change" class="thumb"> </div> <h6>Azerbaijan</h6> <h5> <strong>DIPLOMACY</strong> <br>Year In Review </h5> <h3 class="searchResultAbstract">Song of Change</h3> <p class="searchResultAbstract content"> Azerbaijan continued on its path to diversification in 2011, with the non-prime sectors demonstrating their ability to support the economy for the first time. With nominal GDP reaching $55 billion in 2011, Azerbaijan represents some 83% of the South Caucasus economy. Regional interconnectivity is also developing, with major infrastructure projects to upgrade Azerbaijan's air and maritime facilitates set to make the country a key point on the resurgent Silk Road. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is also nearing completion, and negotiations over the best export route for Azerbaijani gas to Europe seem to be coming to a conclusion. In a year when Azerbaijan hosts the Eurovision Song Contest and also becomes a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the government is looking to showcase the Caspian nation's achievements to the world. </p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2012/song-of-change/year-in-review" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="item item-2"> <div class="editorsPick box sectorId_552ef2b03616181268784055"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2011/breaking-new-ground/interview"> <div class="verticlal-box-textalign"> <img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/Content/interviewee/128_b.jpg?anchor=topcenter&mode=crop&w=172&h=213" alt="Song of Change" class="thumb"> </div> <h6>Azerbaijan</h6> <h5> <strong>DIPLOMACY</strong> <br>Interview </h5> <h3 class="searchResultAbstract">Breaking New Ground</h3> <p class="searchResultAbstract content"> TBY talks to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on diversifying the economy, the importance of education, and his hopes for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh. </p> </a> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/azerbaijan-2011/breaking-new-ground/interview" class="link_readItem">read article <i class="fa fa-angle-double-right"></i></a> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="clear"></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="no-more-articles" style="display:none"> <h3>No more articles to show.</h3> </div> </div> <div style="clear:both"> </div> <footer> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="top"> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/" class="logo"></a> <div class="slogan"> The key players and their stories are all in The Business Year </div> <div class="social"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://www.facebook.com/thebusinessyear" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-fb.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://twitter.com/TBYupdates" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-twitter.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBusinessYear" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-yt.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://instagram.com/thebusinessyear/" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-instagram.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/https://www.linkedin.com/company/1673711?trk=hp-feed-company-name" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-in.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015633/http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-The-Business-Year-EI_IE664576.11,28.htm" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20171115015633im_/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/images/icon-107.png" alt=""></a> </div> </div> <div class="bottom isMobile" style="text-align:center"> <span>Copyright © 2011-2017</span> <br/><br/> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a> <br/><br/> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/about-us">About Us</a> <br/><br/> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/contact">Contact Us</a> <br/><br/> <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/work-for-tby">Work For TBY</a> </div> <div class="bottom display-web" style="text-align:center"> <span>Copyright © 2011-2017</span> | <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a> | <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/about-us">About Us</a> | <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/contact">Contact Us</a> | <a href="/web/20171115015633/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/work-for-tby">Work For TBY</a> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="popup" id="forgotten" style="text-align:center"> <div class="button-close"></div> <br> <h4 style="margin-bottom: -12px;">Forgot your regıstered email?</h4> <p id="forgotten-text">Enter your email address below. 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He Ilham Aliyev: Onward & Upward - The Business Year