ECONOMY
AZERBAIJAN’S MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETS BRITISH DELEGATION
The sides discussed the current economic ties between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Great Britain.
Mr. Babayev told of the economic reforms being implemented in Azerbaijan. Minister noted that numerous social objects, roads, bridges were built within past three years. This year, over 100 youth will study in the foreign countries in accordance with the state program on Azerbaijani youth education in abroad for 2007-2015, said Babayev.
Minister stressed that Great Britain is the strategic partner of Azerbaijan. Over 100 British companies are functioning in the oil and gas, machine building, construction, insurance, banking, audit, transport, environment protection, tourism, telecommunication and other spheres of Azerbaijan. In 2006, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan, Great Britain and the Northern Ireland was US $ 459,3 mln. This figure made up US $ 185,5 mln within six month of 2007.
Mr. Wicks, in his turn, highly valued the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Great Britain. Speaking of Great Britain’s participation in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum large-scale projects, State Minister emphasized that his country is interested in other projects being implemented in Azerbaijan.
Ambassador of Great Britain to Azerbaijan Mrs. Caroline Brown was presented at the meeting.