ENERGY SECTOR OF AZERBAIJAN UNDER SCRUTINY

The survey of actual situation of Azerbaijan’s energy sector will become in the near-term outlook one of the priority directions of the activity of the Japanese Bank of International Cooperation /JBIC/, it was stated by the Head of the JBIC’s mission to Baku Kharumi Nonaka during his meeting with president of the Joint-Stock Company “Azerenergy” Etibar Pirverdiyev. During a series of meetings with leadership and experts “Azerenergy”, the JBIC’s mission had expressed its interest to study electric energy sector in Azerbaijan at their own expenses. Japanese specialists intend to announce a tender to select a consulting company for implementing relevant works with the further submission of a detailed report to the bank. On the base of the obtained data, the JBIC will build up their policy in energy sector of Azerbaijan.Tender procedures are expected to be launched in late 2003 – early 2004. The main task of the tender winner will be determination of the present situation of energy sector in Azerbaijan and study of technical development plan of the industry.The bank’s technical mission is expected in late August, whereupon it will start detailed preparation for the project.