The Washington Times publishes article “Azerbaijan`s example of how to breed success”
Washington, March 20 (AZERTAC). The Washington Times has published an article “Azerbaijan`s example of how to breed success” by director general of the Caspian Group Holdings Rob Sobhani.
The article says: “As the world focuses on the passing of Hugo Chavez and the impact of his socialist policies on oil-rich Venezuela, halfway around the globe a different kind of leader has been quietly transforming his country into a prosperous and reliable partner of the West. Since assuming the presidency in 2003, Ilham Aliyev, the 52-year old Azerbaijani head of state, has used his country`s vast energy resources to make the transition from a centrally planned economy to a free and prosperous one. While socialism has ruined Venezuela`s enormous potential, Mr. Aliyev`s adoption of market capitalism has transformed his country into the Kuwait of the former Soviet Union with an average annual gross domestic product growth rate of 24 percent over the past 10 years.”
“For example, unlike Chavez, who drove away American energy companies, Mr. Aliyev has welcomed cooperation with the likes of Exxon and Chevron. The results are phenomenal: Azerbaijan`s 1 million barrels per day of oil is exported via pipeline to consumers around the world without any glitch, and its oil fund now stands at more than $35 billion.”
Rob Sobhani says: “Mr. Aliyev also understands that we live in the 21st century and is investing his country`s wealth in the future. The recent launch of Azerspace I is a clear example of his forward-thinking approach. The satellite was manufactured by Virginia-based Orbital Sciences Corp., supporting 1,500 American jobs. He understands that growing the nascent satellite industry will boost his country`s intellectual capacity and knowledge stream through constant research and education. It is not surprising that 2013 was declared the year of information and communications technologies by the president. The launch of Azerspace marks another milestone in the partnership between Washington and Baku.”
In the article, Rob Sobhani highlights the Azerbaijani President`s social policy, praises the country`s role in the anti-terror war in Afghanistan, and also touches upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
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