Azerbaijan allocates 70% of concessional loans to entrepreneurs operating in regions

In January-June of this year, the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund allocated a total of 126.4 million manats (over $74.3 million) in concessional loans to 2,371 projects, Report informs, citing the fund.

These loans are expected to create nearly 1,800 jobs.

In the first 6 months of 2025, 94.1% of business entities that benefited from concessional loans operate in the regions. Some 70% of the total concessional loan amount was allocated to these entrepreneurs.

During this period, the fund's concessional loan mechanism covered entrepreneurs operating in various sectors of the economy. Some 48.1% of the total concessional loan amount provided in January-June was directed to industry projects (including processing of agricultural products), 44.3% to agriculture, 5.3% to services, and 2.3% to projects in other sectors.

The majority of entrepreneurs who benefited from the fund's concessional loans are micro, small and medium-sized business entities. In the first half of 2025, 99.8% of concessional loans by project number and 90.4% by loan amount were allocated to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.

Projects belonging to women and young entrepreneurs hold a special place among business entities benefiting from concessional loans. During this period, 226 projects of women entrepreneurs were provided with 8.4 million manats (over $4.9 million) in concessional loans. Also, 63 projects of young entrepreneurs received 3.7 million manats ($2.1 million) in concessional loans.