Today is a remarkable, very significant day. We carry out presentation of new Azerbaijan manat. I cordially congratulate you on this case.

After restoration of the state independence, Azerbaijan’s introduced its monetary unit into circulation. Our manat was one of the major attributes reflecting our independence. But the years pass, certainly, there are new tasks before us, our country develops, modernized, becomes the rich. Therefore, on the agenda there was a question of representation, introduce into circulation new manat. Certain decision was accepted, and Elman Rusamov has presented wide enough information on the question.

Manat possesses fine design. It includes images reflecting culture, history, the past, the present and the future of Azerbaijan. I hope, that this manat will serve Azerbaijani people, citizens during many years, decades, that our country will become richer, and the economy of Azerbaijan will receive the further development.

When the first Azerbaijani manat was put into circulation, the economic situation in our country was not so pleasant. More precisely, there rules economic crisis, our economy experienced recession, and inflation has reached high point and even has passed to hyperinflation. There was no sign about economic development at all. The point was how, and by what measures to overcome this awful recession. All we remember, that exactly after 1993, when the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev has come back to power, the political situation in our country stabilized, and appeared fine opportunities for economic development. If to pay attention to statistics, it is possible to be convinced that since 1996 on present time, till 2005, the economy of Azerbaijan grew annually on the average for 10 percents. That is, for these years our economy was doubled. In that case, certainly, extremely important was the question of introduction of new manat.

Today, chairman of Board of National Bank has explained, why we right now put into circulation new manat. Today, Azerbaijan is on the threshold of new big development. The work done till now, the carried out reforms have considerably strengthened our country from the economic point of view. In Azerbaijan, strong enough economic bases have already been created. And the next years will become, indeed, the period of revival of Azerbaijan. This year, the national economy has increased by 26 percents. It is a parameter, which is not having analogue in the world. Industrial production has increased more, than for 30 percents. The monthly average wages in Azerbaijan by the end of year are at a level of 140 dollars. Monetary incomes of the population have increased by 25-26 percent. All other social payments have increased also. In Azerbaijan, the largest investment projects are carried out. If the last years we were engaged in attraction of foreign investments, today the budget of Azerbaijan allows to carry out more large-scale projects due to own opportunities. These projects are carried out in the field of the industry, sphere of service, humanitarian sector.

In a word, our economy grows. I hope, that in forthcoming years the positive tendencies will be more. Today, preservation of macroeconomic stability in Azerbaijan represents great value. Taking the opportunity, I want to note, that last years, within 10 years, macroeconomic stability in Azerbaijan has been kept. Certainly, the important role in this cause belongs to National Bank. The policy, the thought over strategy of National Bank serve preservation of macroeconomic situation in Azerbaijan in normal frameworks.

All of us remember, that in the beginning of this year inflation has a little jumped up, has reached approximately 15 percents. It has caused our concern. However as a result of urgent measures the rate of inflation has been lowered. At the end of one year, the rate of inflation in Azerbaijan makes 9,8 percents. Great volume of currency will be imported into forthcoming years to Azerbaijan. Treasury of Azerbaijan will receive incomes of operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline after Heydar Aliyev and constructed under his initiative. Certainly, it can to be reflected negatively in the certain measure on our macroeconomic stability. Therefore, in forthcoming years, our economic policy should become even more verified. It is necessary for us to think over each step, as the country has great needs.

The budget of the next year will be at the level of 4 billion dollars. But it is not the limit, and our budget and henceforth will be appreciable to grow. Pensions and wages increase. All these factors anyhow can lead to growth of inflation. Therefore, much depends on activity of the National Bank. I hope, it is proved also by practice, - that the policy of National Bank will allow us to keep macroeconomic situation in normal frameworks so that Azerbaijan has not faced high inflation.

All these parameters, achievements once again testify that Azerbaijan is on a true way. Our policy is the thought-out policy. Both our economic policy, and the foreign policy, processes occurring in the country, preservation of the political order, stability - all these factors are closely connected with each other and are the main condition for long and steady development of our country. This year, Azerbaijan is in the lead in the world on rates of economic development. We mark it with feeling of pride. But grandiose plans wait us in the years ahead. Our plans include social and economic development of regions, large-scale investment projects, and creation in Azerbaijan of strong social structure, improvement of well-being of the population. The work done for last two year testifies that all planned questions will be solved.

In Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev’s policy successfully continues. Started in mid-1990s and successfully continued very courageous economic reforms have transformed Azerbaijan into the advanced country from the point of view of economic development. This is spoken not only by us, it is marked by the most authoritative international financial structures working together with us.

With huge optimism I look at prospects of development of Azerbaijan. I want to note once again, that the steps undertaken by us in all directions were successful. There was no incorrect step. All accepted measures are directed on strengthening of Azerbaijan, strengthening of its state independence, maintenance of quiet, safe life of Azerbaijani people.

In some days, the new manat will be put into circulation, that also is extremely important and significant event in our history. Introduction of new manat is not simply release of a new banknote. It has huge, historical value. It demonstrates the dynamics of development of Azerbaijan. It is demonstration of prospects of the further development of Azerbaijan. It is, as a whole, a parameter of worthy place of Azerbaijan in the world community. Our country becomes richer, more modern, in Azerbaijan, are applied the highest technologies in all areas. My policy consists in it. Each object re-created, built or erected in Azerbaijan, each lifted initiative should answer the highest world standards. It is my policy, and I am very glad, that today, before the New Year we mark presentation of new manat.

Once again I congratulate you on this case. Taking the chance, I congratulate you on the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and a New Year's holiday, I wish you health, successes.