Baku, July 21 (AZERTAC). President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Norm concrete plant in Garadagh District of Baku.

Under the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the diversification of the economy, the comprehensive development of the non-oil sector and industry have become key priorities for the government. This has ensured the growth of Azerbaijan`s economy and rapid progress in all spheres at a time of the global financial and economic crisis. The creation of new production areas in the non-oil sector in the past few years and the expansion of the activity of the existing enterprises play an important part in the development of the sector. The construction of Norm concrete plant in Garadag is vivid evidence of the growing number of economically important facilities in Azerbaijan. The plant is of immense significance in terms of the diversification of Azerbaijan`s economy in general and the manufacture of competitive products.

The construction work was carried out by CTIEC company belonging to Chinese CNBM corporation. Substantial infrastructure, a 3-storey office building, a canteen and a medical facility were built within the plant. A 10km asphalt road was built to connect the facility with the Baku-Salyan highway. New power, water and gas communications were laid. In addition, dams were built to stop torrential waters and a sub-station was constructed to ensure a reliable power supply of the plant.

President Ilham Aliyev declared 2014 the Year of Industry. the inauguration of such a state-of-the-art facility this year is of exceptional importance in terms of achieving the goals set under the Year of Industry.

Minister of Economy and Industry Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state about the work carried out at the plant.

It was said that Norm concrete plant was the largest concrete producing facility not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the South Caucasus. The concept of the plant was drawn up on the basis of advanced technologies and equipment for ensuring productive and effective operation for many years. Specialists and consultants with rich international experience were involved in studying innovations in this area, and engineering and design work proved the economic viability of the plant.

The production process is controlled from a center through web cameras installed in main production points. The use of special equipment on the production line and a special cover for lighting appliances prevents light and noise pollution. Technical water used for cooling technological equipment is treated through a facility for repeated installation, which allows to save water. The inauguration of the plant is also of great importance in terms of the creation of new jobs. The facility employs 350 people now, with another 150 working at raw material fields and subsidiary areas.

Photo stands reflecting great leader Heydar Aliyev`s participation in the opening of industrial enterprises in Azerbaijan during his leadership both in the Soviet period and in the years of independence, as well as the attention paid to this field by head of state Ilham Aliyev, were set up in the office building of the plant.

It was noted that the plant`s labs meet the highest standards. The equipment of the world`s leading companies is installed here. The conditions created in the grout laboratory enable the study of the quality of raw materials and production. The process equipment installed at the plant was manufactured by leading European companies specialized in this field and enjoying great authority in the world. This enables manufacturing high-quality products.

When at the enterprise control center, President Ilham Aliyev was informed about the current situation at the cement market of the country and the plant itself.

It was noted that concrete sales in Azerbaijan made up 4.3 million tons, with Holcim Azerbaijan accounting for 40 per cent of the total volume. The remaining part of the need was met by imports and at the expense of the cement made of clinker. Forecasts say the concrete production growth will continue and domestic needs for concrete will be met totally by local production by the end of the year. As soon as Norm plant with a production capacity of 2 million tons per annum is put into operation, the volume of local production will reach 5.2 million tons. The production capacity of Norm concrete plant makes up 5 thousand tons of clinker per day and 2 million tons of concrete a year. There is a room for increasing the capacity to 4 million tons. The plant will be producing the oilwell concrete meeting the API standard for the oil industry. It has not been produced in the country so far and has been imported from abroad. It is planned to produce three types of concrete at the plant for now. The range of products is scheduled to be expanded in the near future. The major raw materials are extracted in Garadagh whereas materials for the impurity are brought from Shamkir, Goranboy, Agstafa and Tovuz District. The dry process technology is used in production here. The advantage of this modern concrete production technology is that high quality of the product is totally ensured. Thanks to the application of this technology, water is not used in raw material grinding. Almost twice as little fuel is used in the production process and it reduces the cost price of the production. Moreover, this method ensures a dramatic reduction of gas and dust emissions of the furnace, thus, increasing the productivity. The energy-saving mill with high productivity was built at the plant for raw material grinding. The technological processes at the plant were automated with engagement of a human being minimized. The data on all parameters is transferred to the control center through fiber optic cables. The modern automated control system set up at the plant allows controlling not only technological processes and physical-mechanical tests but also automated regulation of parameters as well as remote control of devices.

President Ilham Aliyev launched the plant.

Providing the plant with advanced equipment and technologies ensures its high productivity and compliance with environmental standards during operation. During the creation of the plant special attention was paid to the protection of the environment. Modern dust filters were installed along the fabrication line. This equipment ensures low amount of dust within gas and it meets the internationally accepted standards. The quality of air in major dust sources and amount of gas emissions from the furnace and raw mill are regularly controlled through special optical devices.

It was noted that international ties of Norm company are being expanded too. The firm closely cooperates with the Association of German Cement Manufacturers. Specialists of the association monitor technological processes at the plant. Samples of the ready products and raw materials are regularly tested by the Dusseldorf lab of the association. The production of the plant got a certificate of the Association of German Cement Manufacturers. In addition, Norm company is a full member of the European Cement Research Academy.

Thus Norm concrete plant, worth $350 mln, which is one of the biggest projects for its size in the non-oil sector, will contribute to the boosting of power of Azerbaijan`s economy.

After touring the plant, the head of state met with its staff.

President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear friends, it is a very significant day in the life of our country today. We are gathered for the opening of a new cement plant in Garadagh District of Baku. I heartily congratulate you on this occasion!

Cement Plant "Norm" meets the latest standards. The launch of this plant allows us the opportunity to achieve all the goals in the production of cement. Our main goal was to eliminate the dependence on imports in this industry and not only to achieve self-sufficiency, but also create a fairly large export potential.

A total of $350 million dollars was invested in the construction of the plant. This is the largest cement plant built in Azerbaijan in recent years. The launch of the plant also enables the creation of 500 new jobs. In essence, the creation of the plant reflects our public policies in the economic sphere and in the sphere of industry. Our policy is to expand local production in Azerbaijan and to establish import-substituting production. The development of the non-oil sector is our priority. As you know, this year has been declared the Year of Industry in Azerbaijan, and the creation and expansion of industrial production is our primary goal.

In other words, we can say that this plant reflects all the areas of our state policy. I am very pleased that several cement plants operate in Azerbaijan now. I remember that only the Garadagh cement plant was in operation a few years ago, and it did not meet environmental standards. Extensive reconstruction work has been carried out there and in the intervening period we have marked the launch the “Hochim” plant. Cement plants operate in Gazakh, Nakhchivan and Sumgayit. At the moment, the launch of the largest plant "Norm" brings cement production in Azerbaijan to 5 million tons, perhaps even more. The demand is 4.5 million tons. In other words, we should first of all think about the protection of our domestic market. To this end, the Ministry of Economy and Industry is preparing proposals because the launch of this plant makes the imports of cement from abroad irrelevant. At the same time, we must take our cement and other export products to new markets. In fact, our export potential is already being strengthened. If we consider that this plant has the capacity to increase production, I believe that as we access new markets, all cement plants in Azerbaijan should be able to expand their activities in the future.

This plant uses the most sophisticated equipment from Europe. The construction of the plant has been carried out by a Chinese company which acted as general contractor. This is evidence of how strong Azerbaijan’s international economic relations are. Among our partners are European and Asian companies, and today we are receiving numerous requests for work in Azerbaijan. The economic development observed in Azerbaijan in recent years, the industrialization process and the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects, of course, raise the attention of international business entities to our country. At the same time, there is a great confidence in our successful development because our financial and economic situation today is quite durable and stable. Our economic policy is based on a clear program. Currently, the third regional development program is under way. It will serve the implementation of major infrastructure projects in our country by 2018.

Of course, our foreign partners also know about all this. They know that large amounts of both public and private funds are invested in Azerbaijan. The government directs investment more into infrastructure and social infrastructure projects. It also allocates budget funds to the private sector in the form of favorable loans. And the private sector, taking advantage of the dynamic development of Azerbaijan, directs its investments into such great enterprises. Thus, a partnership between public and private sectors is ensured at the highest level in Azerbaijan. I am sure that the industrial enterprises created in Azerbaijan in recent years, the implementation of infrastructure projects and the steps associated with industrialization will lead to even more beautiful results in the future.

Today we control the industrial and economic processes taking place in our country, and the main issue here is complete security in this area. The first is means energy security, which is already provided in Azerbaijan by 100 per cent. We are even contributing to the energy security of other countries.

Transport security is also provided in Azerbaijan. The projects already implemented and the ones currently under way - the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the shipyard, the construction of the Alat international trade seaport, etc. - will fully provide our transportation security. Our geographical location is such that if we enrich these geographic advantages with modern infrastructure, then large volumes of cargo can be transported through Azerbaijan.

Food security is provided as well. In the near future, we will provide ourselves with staple foods by 100 per cent. Great work is currently under way in Azerbaijan in the production of construction materials. We have fully achieved that in the production of cement and already begun the construction of a large metallurgical complex.

There are numerous industrial enterprises in Garadagh and other regions. In short, we must provide ourselves by 100 per cent. We are accessing and have to access foreign markets with quality products. In this case we will ensure long-term sustainable development of our country and continue the process of job creation, while the share of the non-oil sector in the country will increase. Today, the non-oil sector accounts for 55 per cent of our gross domestic product. Although we are about to start the implementation of major gas projects and large volumes of gas are to be produced, I am confident that our non-oil sector will have an even greater share of the overall economy in the coming years.

The launch of this plant makes me very happy because, I want to say again, I see a manifestation of our public policy here. Our policies have been conducive to the present-day development in Azerbaijan. Our policies, the domestic policy, the steps taken in the political sphere and the economic reforms have enabled a long-term and sustainable development of the country. It is no coincidence that leading financial and economic institutions of the world appreciate the work carried out in the economic sphere in Azerbaijan. In terms of economic competitiveness, Azerbaijan is ranked in 39th place in the world. As a result of commissioning of such plants we will advance to an even higher place. I heartily congratulate you on the launch of this plant and wish you success. Thank you!