AZERBAIJAN-LATVIA BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN BAKU
Baku, April 17 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan-Latvia business forum was held here bringing together more than 10 Latvian and about 50 Azerbaijani businessmen specializing in engineering, light, heavy, chemical and transport industries.
The forum was co-organized by Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and Caspian-European Integration Business Club with support of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Economic Development.
Azerbaijani Deputy Economic Development Minister Niyazi Safarov briefed the participants on ongoing economic reforms and projects in the country, the work done to promote entrepreneurship and other issues.
According to him, gross domestic product in the country grew 10, 8 percent in 2008. He noted since the 1990s more than $60 billion was invested in the country`s economy.
Safarov also spoke of the favorable business environment created in the country.
He pointed out over the past five years more than 27 thousand enterprises were set up in Azerbaijan with over 750 thousand jobs created.
The poverty rate in the country dropped to 13, 2 percent in 2008 from 47, 7 percent in 2002.
He underlined the World Bank named Azerbaijan, in its Doing Business 2009 report, the world`s top economic reformer.
Touching upon the Azerbaijan-Latvia economic ties, Niyazi Safarov said trade turnover between the two countries made up $ 8 million last year, adding there are huge opportunities to increase this indicator.
Attending the event, Latvian foreign minister Maris Riekstins said his country intends to deepen relations with Azerbaijan in economic, political, cultural and other fields.
The Minister noted reciprocal visits by the two countries` officials contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation.
He expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Azerbaijan attaches significant important to developing relations with Latvia.
He also praised the level of cooperation between the two countries in various international organizations.
President of AZPROMO Rahim Huseynov told of Azerbaijan`s economy and investment climate created here for foreign businessmen.
During the forum, Latvian Minister Maris Riekstins was presented with a certificate of honorable member of the Caspian-European Integration Business Club.
Following the forum, bilateral meetings took place between Azerbaijani and Latvian businessmen.
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