The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Georgia and the Azerbaijani Business Association (AZEBI) held a joint video conference. The members of the organization and companies with Azerbaijani capital in Georgia attended the meeting.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Georgia, Faig Guliyev, the Consul General in Batumi Parviz Ismailzade, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (ASK) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev, SOCAR Energy Georgia General Director, Mahir Mammedov, AZEBI Board Chairperson Nariman Gurbanov and other members of the organization attended the conference.
70 Azerbaijani businessmen attended the event. A summary report was made on the work done by AZEBI for 2020, and the 2021 Action Plan and a discussion on improving the organization's activities took place. A memorandum of understanding got signed between ASK and AZEBI during the event.
The Chairperson of the Board of AZEBI opened the event. Nariman Gurbanov provided the participants with detailed information about the activities of the organization. It was noted that the main goal of AZEBI, established in Georgia in 2009, is to strengthen trade and economic relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan, to develop Azerbaijani entrepreneurship and investment projects in Georgia, as well as to protect the interests of Azerbaijani businessmen.
At the conference, Ambassador Faig Guliyev spoke about the economic relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia, important infrastructure projects, and solidarity and cooperation between the two countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the conversation, the invaluable contribution of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, in raising the level of the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan was noted. The ambassador stressed that today this policy is successfully pursued by President Ilham Aliyev. According to him, special attention is paid to relations with Georgia. The diplomat noted that after the glorious and historic victory of the Azerbaijani Army in the Patriotic War under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, new opportunities for cooperation emerged in the region.
The ambassador noted that Azerbaijan is Georgia's largest trading partner, one of the largest foreign investors in the country, and Azerbaijani companies are the largest taxpayers in Georgia.
It was noted that Azerbaijani companies are involved in solving the problem of unemployment in Georgia by creating thousands of jobs through investment. The Ambassador stressed the importance of establishing close cooperation between the two countries' business circles, organizing regular business forums with the participation of companies, and expressed hope that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ASC and AZEBI will further deepen these relations. In addition, the importance of raising the awareness of AZEBI member businessmen about Georgia's social and economic reforms, government programs, investment projects, and tenders was noted.
The Consul General in Batumi Parviz Ismailzade briefed the businessmen on the opportunities available in the consular district, including the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. Together with the capitals, the Consul General noted the importance of developing the interregional cooperation between the two countries, noting that Batumi and the Nakhchivan of Azerbaijan are like brothers. According to him, the opening of a direct Baku-Batumi-Baku flight two years ago has helped expand business relations between the two countries and increase bilateral tourist visits.
Speaking at the event, the President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (ASK) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mammad Musayev, stressed the importance of holding regular meetings between the two countries' business associations and signing a memorandum of understanding with AZEBI. He noted that in addition to the format of bilateral cooperation, it is effective to organize tripartite business forums between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia with the participation of business circles.
SOCAR Energy Georgia General Director, Mahir Mammedov, delivered a speech at the event. Mahir Mammedov spoke about the projects implemented by SOCAR in Georgia, including the program "Agrodiesel," which was signed between the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia and SOCAR to help local farmers during the pandemic. According to him, SOCAR was one of the largest payers in Georgia, and the company has always focused on the education of Azerbaijanis living in Georgia.
During the event, the AZEBI CEO Baratel Allahverdiyeva made a presentation on the organization's work in 2020 and the 2021 Action Plan. Elchin Agayev, the Head of the Georgian Branch of the Azerbaijan Railways, Arda Arkun, the Chairperson of the Board of Pasha Bank, Georgia, Karim Guliyev, the Head of the Black Sea Terminal, Alkhan Alizadeh, the Director of Agar Sugar Factory, Emin Abasov, the Head of AS Georgia, and others submitted proposals to expand economic ties between the two countries and strengthen AZEBI.
The parties exchanged views on the difficulties faced by Azerbaijani companies and opportunities for future cooperation and noted the important role of AZEBI in implementing these activities. At the same time, in connection with the protection of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the relevant decree of the President, the Fund for Assistance to the Wounded and Martyrs' Families got established (YASHAT Foundation). The public was also informed about the "Karabakh Reconstruction Fund," which will be used for restoration and planting works.
