TODAY.AZ / Politics

President Ilham Aliyev: ‘We want to double our economic growth” - UPDATE - PHOTOS

29 January 2012 [21:00] - TODAY.AZ
An interactive session on Azerbaijan has been held as part of the World Economic Forum`s (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan.28. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

Moderator Borge Brende, WEF`s Managing Director, said Azerbaijan had a geographically and strategically important location. Brende hailed Azerbaijan`s development, saying the country managed to record a 9% growth in the non-oil sector despite the ongoing global crisis.

President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan`s economic achievements, saying “they were really impressive”.

“Our economy has grown 300% since 2004. Of course, we well realize that this growth has been achieved mostly thanks to our oil and gas industry. And this is natural for a country, which has been independent for 20 years.”

“By attracting multi-billion investment to oil and gas industry we are diversifying our economy. And now we have set ourselves a new task: we want to double our economic growth, which has already seen a three-fold increase so far. We want to achieve this by developing our non-oil sector.” The President said: “Las year our non-oil industry grew 11%, while the non-oil sector saw a 9% increase.”

President Aliyev said his country had a very favorable investment climate: “110 billion dollars have been invested in our country in the past 15 years. Last year alone Azerbaijan saw 20 billion dollars in investment, of which 7 billion dollars came from foreign sources.”

The Azerbaijani leader said: “According to the rankings of the World Economic Forum, Azerbaijan is 55th in the world in terms of the competitiveness of the national economy, while we are the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States.”

The President highlighted the country`s energy potential. “Our oil production is 50 billion tons. This year our gas production is forecast to be 30 billion cubic meters, and this figure can reach 50 billion thanks to new projects and investment.”

President Aliyev said Azerbaijan played an important role in ensuring Europe`s energy security.” He also emphasized the governemnt`s work to ensure transparency in energy sector.  “Eight years ago we joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and today we are its full member.”

Other speakers, including Azerbaijani minister of finance Samir Sharifov, communications and information technologies minister Ali Abbasov, ecology and natural resources minister Huseyngulu Baghirov highlighted the country`s achievements in economic, banking and financial sector. The event ended with a question-and-answer session with the Azerbaijani President.
 
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On behalf of the Azerbaijani government a dinner has been given as part of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Along with Azerbaijani officials, the event brought together representatives of other countries.

The event featured an exhibition and a documentary on Azerbaijan`s achievements, and a concert involving Azerbaijani musicians and singers. Countries attending the World Economic Forum praised Azerbaijan`s role in the world economic system.

The WEF Annual Meeting brings together over 2,500 delegates from more than 100 countries, chief executives of the world's leading global businesses, representing the Forum’s 1,000 Member companies, politicians from the G20 and other key countries, representatives from civil society stakeholder groups, media leaders representing the top news organizations from around the world, young global leaders, social entrepreneurs, technology pioneers and spiritual and cultural leaders.

The WEF annual meeting discussed political and economic problems, problems caused by the global development.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended The Future of Eurasia session as part of the 42nd World Economic Forum annual meeting here on Jan.28.

The WEF Annual Meeting brings together over 2,500 delegates from more than 100 countries, chief executives of the world's leading global businesses, representing the Forum’s 1,000 Member companies, politicians from the G20 and other key countries, representatives from civil society stakeholder groups, media leaders representing the top news organizations from around the world, young global leaders, social entrepreneurs, technology pioneers and spiritual and cultural leaders.

The WEF annual meeting discussed political and economic problems, problems caused by the global development. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the session. The Head of State spoke about Azerbaijan`s historical development, history of statehood based on democratic traditions, adding the first democratic republic in the East was established in Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed out the country regained its independence in late 20th century. He touched upon the progress archived in the economic and political fields, political stability and other matters.

He noted energy-rich Azerbaijan plays an important role in ensuring European energy security and uses its location to contribute to regional cooperation. The Head of State noted the country places a particular emphasis on development of the non-oil sector as well.

The Azerbaijani leader lingered around development of information and communication technologies, industrialization. Despite the financial crisis, Azerbaijan did much work to diversify its economy.

President Aliyev said the country faces serious challenges to develop all spheres. He expressed hope the nation would gain new successes in this direction. The session was also addressed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and President of Russian VTB bank Andrey Kostin.
 
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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended on Jan.28 a panel discussion titled “Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - Defining the Imperatives for 2012” as part of a lunch at the World Economic Forum here.
 
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28.01.12
15:55

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on January 27 met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Jordan Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh here.

The President of Azerbaijan and Premier of Jordan noted the high level of friendly and cooperation relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Jordan, stressing importance of mutual support in different areas.  The meeting also focused on the prospects of development of the bilateral relations in the years to come.

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27.01.12
16:01

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met here with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski. During the meeting, the presidents praised development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Poland in all fields.

They said constant meetings of Azerbaijani and Polish presidents in different events contribute to expanding the bilateral relations. The Heads of State discussed the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland in a range of fields even more, in particular energy sector.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met here with Prince Andrew, Duke of York of Great Britain.

They praised economic relations between Azerbaijan and Great Britain, saying they were successfully developing. They also discussed prospects for boosting economic cooperation.

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09:12

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met with Chief Executive Officer of Edison Bruno Lescoeur in Davos.  They discussed natural gas supplies to the European region.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met here with President of Microsoft International, Vice-President of Microsoft Corporation Jean-Philippe Courtois. Courtois praised the current level of cooperation with Azerbaijan.

He underlined Azerbaijan was an exemplary country in the region in terms of fighting against software piracy. The President of Microsoft International noted the company was ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in ensuring information security.

President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan attaches great importance to development of information and communication technologies.  The Head of State stressed the development of this field was announced the priority in the country.

During the meeting, they again discussed establishment of the Microsoft regional information and computing center in Azerbaijan. They agreed to speed up work in this direction.

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Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan yesterday met here with Markus Akermann, Chief Executive Officer of the Holcim Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates.

The President expressed satisfaction with the activity of the Holcim group in Azerbaijan, this company`s investments in the country and participation in the construction of the Garadagh cement plant.

For his part, Holcim CEO noted the new cement plant would come on stream later this year. The sides noted it would be an important event in terms of expansion of economic ties.
 
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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met here with Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. The Pakistani Premier congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on election of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

During the meeting, they praised bilateral relations between the two countries. The parties stressed the importance of these ties. The Head of State and Premier said Azerbaijan and Pakistan have always supported each other in the bilateral format and within international organizations.

They underlined the importance of continuing this support.  They also exchanged views on development of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of oil and gas, infrastructure and agriculture.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met here with Chief Executive Officer of the RWE company Jurgen Grossmann. During the meeting, they underlined successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the RWE company continues.

They discussed prospects for cooperation between the country and company. The parties stressed the importance of energy cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev and CEO Jurgen Grossmann also discussed development of the Shah Deniz gas field.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych in Davos. During the meeting, they underlined bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine were successfully developing in various fields, including political and economic ones.

The presidents discussed prospects for energy cooperation. The parties said the two countries have good potential to expand cooperation even more.

They expressed confidence the Azerbaijan-Ukraine relations would continue to develop.
The Heads of State stressed the importance of high-level reciprocal visits and meetings for expansion of ties.

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26.01.12
17:04

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Jan. 26 in Davos met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Jakob Kellenberger.  The meeting focused on cooperation in humanitarian field, issues related to the missings and hostages.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met Deutsche Bank`s CEO for Central and Eastern Europe Peter Tils and Member of the Management Board Juergen Fitschen in Davos.

They described Azerbaijan as the region`s leader, and stressed the importance of ongoing economic development processes in the country.They also explored prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Deutsche Bank.
 
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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met here Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri. Development of relations between the two countries in various spheres, including economy was praised at the meeting.

The sides exchanged views on further development of the relationship between the two states.

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President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan today met with the Executive Chairman and founder of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab here.  The President and Executive Chairman had comprehensive exchange of views noting Azerbaijan’s active participation at the Forum and the latest economic progress the country reached in versatile fields.

Azerbaijan`s notable economic accomplishments arouse interest of large companies of world and Europe, Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum emphasized. The President of Azerbaijan and WEF`s Executive Chairman stressed importance of future cooperation within new projects.

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14:45

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Jan. 26 met with European Commissioner for Energy in European Commission Günther Oettinger in Davos.  The meeting focused on the development of Southern Gas Corridor project.
 
The sides emphasized the role of the Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor signed by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso in the development of energy ties.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS Global Kaspar Villiger in Davos. They discussed the issues of building and developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and UBS, one of the largest banks in Switzerland.

They also explored prospects of building financial cooperation with Azerbaijan`s State Oil Company and State Oil Fund. Kaspar Villiger recalled his visits to Azerbaijan and meetings with national leader Heydar Aliyev. He said Azerbaijan was rapidly developing under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership.
 
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09:02

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met US Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats in Davos.  Robert Hormats conveyed the US President`s and Secretary of State`s greetings to the Azerbaijani leader.

The Under Secretary said the White House praised development processes in Azerbaijan, in particular successful economic and industrial sector reforms. They expressed confidence that anti-corruption measures in Azerbaijan as well as investments in the country`s non-oil sector would be a success.

They exchanged views over a range of regional issues. The Azerbaijani President and the US Under Secretary of State also stressed the importance of a forthcoming meeting of an Azerbaijan-US intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian OMV AG company Gerhard Roiss in Davos. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan and OMV AG, as well as prospects of the Nabucco gas pipeline project.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met with Swiss counterpart Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf in Davos. President of Switzerland Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf welcomed President Ilham Aliyev.

During the meeting, they praised the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries, and underlined the necessity of expanding them even more. The presidents noted the importance of energy and environmental cooperation between Azerbaijan and Switzerland. They also discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres in Davos. During the meeting, the presidents discussed bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. They also discussed prospects for cooperation in various fields, in particular economics and scientific researches.

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25.01.12
15:14

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today arrived in Switzerland to participate in the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos. President Ilham Aliyev left Zurich for Davos.

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11:25

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today left for Switzerland to participate in the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos. At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Head of State was seen off by Prime Minister Arthur Rasizade, head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Baku mayor Hajibala Abutalybov.


/AzerTAc/

World Economic Forum features interactive session on Azerbaijan






Azerbaijani government gives dinner as part of World Economic Forum in Davos






President Ilham Aliyev attends World Economic Forum`s The Future of Eurasia session in Davos









President Ilham Aliyev meets Jordan`s Premier



President Ilham Aliyev meets Polish counterpart Bronislaw Komorowski



Azerbaijani President meets Prince Andrew, Duke of York of Great Britain



Azerbaijani President meets CEO of Edison in Davos




President Ilham Aliyev meets President of Microsoft International Jean-Philippe Courtois




Azerbaijani President meets Pakistani Premier in Davos




President Ilham Aliyev meets Holcim CEO




President Ilham Aliyev meets RWE CEO Jurgen Grossmann in Davos



Azerbaijani President meets Ukrainian counterpart in Davos




President Ilham Aliyev meets President of International Committee of Red Cross Jakob Kellenberger



Azerbaijani President meets Deutsche Bank`s CEO for Central and Eastern Europe and Member of Management Board





President Ilham Aliyev meets Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri



President of Azerbaijan meets Executive Chairman and founder of the World Economic Forum




President Ilham Aliyev meets with European Commissioner for Energy in European Commission Günther Oettinger




Azerbaijani President meets UBS Global`s Chairman of Board of Directors



Azerbaijani President meets US Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs in Davos





Azerbaijani President meets CEO of OMV AG company





Azerbaijani President meets Swiss counterpart in Davos





President Ilham Aliyev meets Israeli counterpart in Davos


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