Azerbaijan discusses with ADB increasing non-oil-gas exports

The effective realization of Azerbaijan's non-oil export potential was discussed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Report informs, citing the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) that the discussions took place during a meeting with members of the ADB's consultation mission on Azerbaijan's export and value chain research.

The meeting discussed the expansion of Azerbaijan's non-oil-gas export geography, diversification of supplied product ranges, existing opportunities and challenges in these directions, as well as recommendations, strategies, and technical support that ADB could offer in this regard.

Tural Hajili, Deputy Executive Director of AZPROMO, provided information about the agency's activities, mechanisms applied for the promotion of non-oil exports, support provided to the state policy implemented in this framework, as well as the basic products included in his country's non-oil-gas exports, main export markets, and high-potential export-oriented production areas.

Kristian Rosbach, a chief economist at the ADB, noted that this was the bank's first mission to Azerbaijan in the field of export and value chain, mentioning that similar research had previously been conducted in Georgia among regional countries. It was emphasized that the research was successfully tested in the Georgian market, and practical steps were taken based on the recommendations. It was stated that the application of this approach in Azerbaijan is also possible and that preparing proposals together with relevant parties could contribute to the realization of export potential.

In this context, an agreement was reached to present the results of surveys conducted by AZPROMO among local exporters and research on the export potential of non-oil products. It was also noted that the AZPROMO is ready to connect ADB mission members with relevant public and private sector entities.