OFFICIAL NEWS
PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV ATTENDS AZERBAIJAN-LATVIA BUSINESS FORUM
Opening the forum, Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency Andris Ozols said about hundred businessmen are taking part in the event.
He stressed the main purpose of the forum is to establish bilateral economic cooperation to boost trade between the two countries.
Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said export from Latvia to Azerbaijan jumped 35 percent last year, while the volume of goods imported from Azerbaijan increased three times.
Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga said “Latvia, as a European Union member, attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan”.
“A shortage of energy resources impedes rapid development of Latvia’s economy. Azerbaijan can play a key role in providing energy security in Europe. We reaffirm our support for implementation of energy projects”, the Latvian leader added.
Addressing the forum, President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of holding such events.
He pointed to favorable conditions created in Azerbaijan for foreign investors.
“The vivid example of this is that foreign companies invested thirty billion dollars in the country over the last ten years. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the world’s leading countries in per capita foreign investments” he said.
President Ilham Aliyev also spoke of the regional and international projects Azerbaijan is participating in as well as of the country’s successful oil strategy.
He said Azerbaijan also places particular emphasis on development of the non-oil sector.
The Azerbaijani leader stressed his country is ready to help the European Union in providing energy security in Europe.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to his Latvian counterpart Vaira Vike-Freiberga for continuously supporting Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani leader stressed the forum will deepen ties between the two countries’ businessmen.