Ambassador: Arabian tourists are mainly attracted by two factors in Azerbaijan - INTERVIEW

“Talks are underway on holding the next session of the Azerbaijan-UAE Intergovernmental Economic Commission in Baku in December.”

Baku. 19 September. REPORT.AZ/ Report interviews the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dashgin Shikarov.

- How do you evaluate the current relations between the UAE and Azerbaijan?

As a result of the successful foreign policy under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, there are high-level relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, covering all areas of life, based on mutual understanding and trust. The close cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, existence of a high-level political dialogue and mutual support within the framework of international organizations are the factors that make this connection. Moreover, the exchange of mutual visits at various levels, the activities of the intergovernmental commission and the mechanism of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs serve the development of political and diplomatic relations between our two friendly countries.

The official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the UAE in 2016 and the meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of the visit gave a special impetus to the development of relations between the two countries.

- What does the embassy do for the promotion of “Made in Azerbaijan” brand in the UAE? Are businessmen from Azerbaijan interested in UAE markets?

As UAE mostly imports agricultural products from different countries, and most of the demand in the Gulf countries for these products is met from the UAE, this country has been identified as one of the target markets for Azerbaijan. At present, efforts are being taken to introduce our country's agricultural products to this market and bring production to market standards.

It is encouraging that the volume of sales of the Azerbaijani-made products has increased in the trade networks of UAE. At present, work is underway to sustain this situation and increase the number of our products in this country. In addition to these events, the Embassy regularly distributes information about Azerbaijani products and their producers among major UAE importers. Azerbaijan organizes regular trade missions to Dubai. Within the framework of these missions, negotiations are underway to introduce and export Azerbaijani products. However, along with Dubai, we see potential for cooperation with other emirates, and for this purpose work is underway to organize trade mission in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah emirates.

Along with trade, Azerbaijani enterprises are represented in many economic fields be it construction, manufacturing or processing. So, a few days ago, Azerbaijan's Karvan-L Company announced plans to build a giant Fish Center in Fujairah, UAE.

- What is the volume of mutual investments between Azerbaijan and the UAE, and is it possible to increase these investments?

As a result of the strategy implemented by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the development of the national economy, an attractive investment climate has been created in our country. As you know, investors from the Gulf countries invest in construction and real estate in Azerbaijan. As is known, the UAE imports a large number of agricultural and food products.

At the same time, the same products imported by the Gulf countries are transported using the logistics capabilities of Dubai. In Azerbaijan, where most climatic zones are present, there are favorable conditions for growing many agricultural products, today, our products are loved in the UAE and one of the main factors attracting Arab tourists in Azerbaijan is our food and delicious cuisine.

At the same time, it seems promising for the UAE investors to engage in the creation of free economic zones around Baku, development of infrastructural projects related to the South-East and East-West transport corridors, as well as the involvement of Indian businessmen in hospital construction and operation in Azerbaijan. For this reason, UAE businessmen are interested in the development of infrastructural projects related to real estate, agriculture, tourism, food processing, as well as South-East and North-East transport corridors. The volume of investments into the economy of our country by UAE businessmen during the 10 months of the current year is about $ 100 million.

- When will the next meeting of Azerbaijan-UAE Intergovernmental Economic Commission take place?

- The Joint Commission on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates is an important mechanism for the expansion and structuring of economic and trade relations. Negotiations are underway to hold the next meeting of the Commission in Baku in December.

- The Trade House of Azerbaijan is expected to be opened in Dubai by the end of the year. Has the exact date been determined?

As part of the implementation of the tasks set by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the further expansion of international economic cooperation, Azerbaijan has opened trade missions in several strategic countries, taking into account the regional cooperation criteria. As it is known, one of these offices was established in UAE.

Undoubtedly, opening of the trade representation was one of the new factors promoting the development of economic cooperation between our countries. As a result of joint efforts of the embassy and the mission, it is planned to open a Trade House promoting goods produced in our country by the end of this year. It should also be noted that the opening ceremony of the exhibition of Azerbaijani young artists dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was held (at the Trade Center where Azerbaijan Trade House will operate) on 4-5 November of the current year.