BAKU HOSTS AZERBAIJAN-SWEDEN BUSINESS FORUM
Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and Swedish Trade Council co-organized Azerbaijan-Sweden business forum in Baku on Wednesday. The event took place with support of Azerbaijan Economic Development Ministry and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population.
The business forum brought together about 20 entrepreneurs from Sweden and 50 from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Fizuli Alakbarov told of successful social and economic reforms being carried out in the country.
He noted in the annual “Doing Business 2009” report, Azerbaijan, out of 181 countries, jumped from 97th place to 33rd place throughout the world, and was announced the top global reformer. “This success was the result of economic and social reforms carried out in the country, improvement of legislative system, creation of jobs and other significant measures,” Alakbarov underlined.
According to the Minister, a lot of work has been done in Azerbaijan to develop entrepreneurship and create favorable investment climate. He stressed over the past three years growth domestic product in the country increased by 28, 6 percent.
The level of unemployment reduced to 6, 2 percent in 2008 from 17, 2 percent in 1995, while poverty rate fell to 15, 8 percent in 2007 from 49 percent in 2001.
Minister for Employment of Sweden Sven Otto Littorin said his country was curious about expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in economic, cultural and other spheres. According to him, reciprocal visits contribute to strengthening bilateral relationship even more.
He invited Azerbaijani businessmen to his country.
The Swedish Minister also noted the two countries have great potential to deepen trade cooperation in the years ahead.
AZPROMO President Emil Majidov briefed the participants on the favorable opportunities created for foreign investors in the republic.
Swedish Trade Council`s representative Ekin Ergun told of investment and business opportunities in his country.
Presentation of several Azerbaijani companies was held during the business forum.
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