“The state program of socio-economic development of regions is being executed for two years and all of us know both the value and importance of this program. It is the State Program and consequently the state has incurred the responsibility for its realization. At the same time, the state from its part creates necessary conditions for active participation of businessmen in the given program. It, first of all, is granting of credits, and on the other hand, - support of the businessmen, the trust rendered to it and, as a whole, the attention, given to the development of business in Azerbaijan. If to pay attention to experience of the developed countries, it is possible to be convinced that the economy there develops, first of all, due to private sector, mainly, owing to activity of representatives of small and medium business. The higher the share of small and medium business is in GDP, the more intensively develops the national economy.

Certainly, to achieve this in Azerbaijan needs certain time. 15 years ago we lived in absolutely other system. As you know, even after restoration of the state independence by Azerbaijan, the processes happened in the country did not allow to start serious creative work urgently. Social and economic recession, military-political crisis - all this, certainly, has put our country in the heaviest position. Only last 10 years, after stabilization of conditions, steady economic reforms, which today successfully go on, have started to be conducted.

And last two years, the new period of economic reforms has begun. This period, too, is extremely significant, important for us. I wish to note once again, that today in the country and region there have been established fine conditions for successful development of Azerbaijan. In creation of such conditions a certain role belongs to the natural factors, but the important role belongs also to the policy of Azerbaijan, its position that is becoming stronger in the world and region. Azerbaijan is the initiator, the executor of important processes proceeding in region. Without participation of Azerbaijan in region any project - neither political, nor economic, transport cannot be carried out. It is a reality, and our value will gradually increase.

I with greater optimism look at the future of our country as for creation of strong Azerbaijan there are available all opportunities. The geographical position of our country, rich natural resources, support of state policy in society, unity of people and authority, our economic reforms, the growing role of Azerbaijan in maintenance of power and transport corridor - all this are positive factors. It is necessary for us to use it.

The work being conducted today in some years will bear fruit. Equally, as the credits, which have been given out to businessmen two years ago, today promoted opening of the new enterprises.

Two years ago we could not give out the large credit, as our financial opportunities did not allow it. In this year, it will be granted a loan for amount of 100 million dollars. This credit will work in some years, probably, will bring the contribution to creation of the new infrastructure, new workplaces, in new development. And this is development. The main thing is that has been correctly certain the policy and that has been made the program, which would not turn to slogan. That it reflected the reality and has led to real results. Certainly, it is necessary for all appropriate bodies to accept the most active participation in realization of the given program.

The local authorities have to do a lot, and, as you know, today, in regions, there is going on personnel rearrangements. It is, too, natural process as updating is necessary. The main requirement consists in that each official, each official adequately carried out his duties, with his work, with his labor brought the contribution to our common cause, showed attention, care of people and, thus, realized the responsibility.

In this sense, development of business also is a component of the program. It is in spite of the fact that the basic loading of the program lays down on the state, the government. Construction of power stations, water pipes, updating gas supply networks, erection of schools, hospitals, construction of roads as main, connecting Azerbaijan with other countries, and intercity and country tracks, - all this questions which are carried out and will be carried out by state.

The problems the businessmen face is clear also. They consist in that, using this fine investment environment, to achieve creation of the new enterprises, opening of workplaces. That there were created new factories, plants, that our country developed that it benefited also to businessmen.

Certainly, the basic purpose of the program consists in liquidation of unemployment, reduction of poverty. Last two years, we have achieved successes in both directions - certainly, these directions are closely connected with each other. Opening of 340 thousand new workplaces, reduction of the level of poverty with 49 up to 29 percent is a reality, real result. The minimal wages have increased in some times. However, it cannot satisfy us. The present level does not satisfy us, as the minimal wages should provide the minimal needs of the person. It still is not as we wish. But we shall achieve this. In this year, it is stipulated, it will be stipulated and in following year - the minimal wages in Azerbaijan will increase every year. The done works, large oil incomes that we expect in the future, certainly, will create for us such opportunity. But it is necessary for us to be extremely attentive, very exact, to save ourselves from the factors, able to break macroeconomic stability.

It is because rise of inflation, rise of prices seriously disturb us. In the early times last year this acquired serious character. We could prevent it. And now the level of inflation should remain in single figure. To take into account, the money incomes of population surpass several times the inflation level, and the real growth is high level.

Now in the economic field, Azerbaijan is to solve several crucial problems. One of them is development of non-oil sector, agriculture, development of infrastructure and transport. In all directions, the things go successfully, new ways are built, airports, power stations, the gas mains are constructed, and of course, this should have impact on everyday life of the people. Every one should feel this. Therefore, both the large projects and infrastructure projects are implemented and every region and every village should have its program.

I always say, that of every village resolves its problem, than it means the whole county’s problems would be solved. Therefore, we should have to exactly and sensitively regard this. In the program we adopted two years ago, the priorities have been determined, and along with this there is a plan of concrete actions. I reiterate, every region and every village should have its own program, plan of actions. To watch and manage all these from Baku is not possible. We adopt the program, and then during my visits to regions I personally familiarize with the things in places. But many depend on the local governments, on their activities. And my demand remains unchanged - to work at utmost, aspire to best. In that case, our problems will found solution.

Should we provide transparency in finance system, every question can find its solution. Now, many can be done with the allotted means. Simply, it should be correctly directed. Therefore, we should provide transparency, strengthen it, the expenses should be strongly controlled, and of course, the means should be expediently spent.

To take into account, the budget of Azerbaijan will increase year by year, this year it is 4 billion dollars, in the coming year - it will increase much more, then, we need strong control. The growing budget should reflect in the newly opening workplaces, in construction of new enterprises, factories, plants, in creation of public health, education and social infrastructures.

I hope 2006 will be successful for us. In 2006, two huge projects to define future of our country will be completed - the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines. These pipelines for many years will serve Azerbaijan, enrich it, and create very strong financial resource. And we required to effectively use these opportunities, use honestly, and this huge wealth we own should serve development of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has such opportunities to become a modern country. I have told earlier - there is every chance - economically, politically, and from the point of view of regional processes. We should benefit of this. If not, we can lose this chance. Now the situation is very favorable, and I demand from every official and governor, and request from entrepreneurs and businessmen not to spare themselves for development of our country. It is our homeland, and it is out nation. We should do our best to be at high level, and that raised the image of Azerbaijan, strengthened its position and the welfare of our people improved.

Now, in the country the average wage has reached 140 dollars. This is a notable index. But it cannot satisfy us. The progress and speedy development are available. I want it went speedier and I know it can go. Should I know it is the maximum speed, I would say to continue this speed. The sped is high, but not the utmost. We should speed our activities, and mobilize all the opportunities, and then many fatal tasks can be resolved.

I aspire to this. I want the programs we implement became reality very quickly. IT is because the people of Azerbaijan are worth of that. We all - the government, state, society, business structure should do this. This depends on us and I hope we all comprehend this responsibility.

Now, in places and regions the reporting meetings are underway, the works are analyzed. At the same time, the Ministry of Economic Development will more seriously analyze the done works. The major is that we have briefly talked on this today, and I hope we shall pay more attention to the existent problems and ways of their solution. The major is to define the problem, seek the ways of solution and then achieve it. Everything is available for this. And further, by increasing of our financial chances, all the tasks will be settled. And therefore, two years ago, along with other crucial problems, I paid more attention to the economic reforms. It is because all depend on this. If the economy does not develop, no project can be realized. Though you write better, no intention, or offer and program can be resolved without this, and will remain on sheet. All bound to economy. And we strengthen it and further will do.

I hope the coming year 2006 will be successful to continue the economic reforms in Azerbaijan. I reiterate, the state will implement its tasks. I am confident, that and the businessmen, too, will make their contributions to our common cause. If today the number of foreigners, who come and does work in Azerbaijan, goes up, then the local entrepreneurs also should benefit these opportunities. The citizens who once left the country now return. Today we watch inflow of foreign citizens in Azerbaijan. They come to Azerbaijan to work, earn money, implement some economic projects. Once they left the country, now they come back. This process goes ahead. It is because Azerbaijan is a nice country. Nice peoples. Favorable economic environment, investment flow, operation of oil pipelines, and nice socio-political atmosphere, and co-existence of numerous peoples in Azerbaijan as a family - it is a unique view.

Now, let us look at other countries. I don’t give any example. But in some countries, the processes are very serious, and they go in strange direction, and there is tension in society, contradictions on different grounds, threats and discord. None of these you can see in Azerbaijan. This nice environment in Azerbaijan promotes to develop the country. We should know this, and appraise. Importance of Azerbaijan is therefore grows, that here the civil society is strengthening, the peoples here, representatives of numerous religions live here as a family.

Now the processes going in the world are very dangerous. They speak about dialogue among civilizations, but, in fact, it is not dialogue, but contradiction. These are dangerous tendencies. Our country, form this standpoint, is of unique significance and we must preserve this situation here. We cannot allow frustrating this situation. Though there are forces that want to damage this. And their attempts failed in the past, and the last months and will fail in the coming years.

I invite all of you to work tensely. To invite the government members is out of place, I demand from them, I invite the businessmen, and all the society to strengthen our state. I wish all of you success in this cause. Thanks”.