2nd MEETING OF AZERBAIJAN-POLAND INTERGOVERNMENTAL ECONOMIC COMMISSION HELD IN BAKU
The second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Poland Intergovernmental Economic Commission was held in Baku on Thursday.
The commission is co-chaired by Azerbaijan`s minister of economic development Heydar Babayev and Polish minister of economy Piotr Wozniak, and includes senior officials from various ministries of both countries.
Heydar Babayev spoke of Azerbaijan`s successful economic reforms.
He noted Azerbaijan is now rapidly developing, and progress in the country`s oil sector gives boost to development of non-oil sector of the economy.
Babayev stressed the GDP growth was 34.5 percent in Azerbaijan in 2006, and 27.1 percent in the nine months of this year.
The minister said the volume of GDP is expected to exceed 25 billion manats in 2007 in the country, and that per capita GDP will reach 3,500 dollars.
Heydar Babayev said there are favorable conditions in Azerbaijan for the enhancement of entrepreneurship and attraction of investments.
He added Azerbaijan has trade relations with about 140 countries across the world.
Babayev said his country is keen to boost economic relations with Poland.
The Minister noted trade between Azerbaijan and Poland was 26.6 million dollars last year, and that, however, the two countries have potential to increase their trade turnover.
Poland`s minister of economy Piotr Wozniak said his country places particular emphasis on the development of its relationships with Azerbaijan.
He praised Azerbaijan`s economic progress.
The Polish Minister stressed the role of the Polish national economic exhibitions in Baku - first held last November, and the second underway now - in strengthening the two countries` bilateral economic ties.
Wozniak said his country supports Azerbaijan`s moves towards joining the World Trade Organization, and is ready to give it every relevant assistance.
Heydar Babayev and Piotr Wozniak then signed the final protocol of the meeting, and a Declaration on cooperation between Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Economic Development and Poland`s Ministry of Economy on the issue of Azerbaijan`s membership of the World Trade Organization.
The two ministers also responded to questions from journalists.
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