AIIF 2026 panel highlights Azerbaijan's potential as regional manufacturing, export hub

The panel session titled "Industrial Platforms and Free Economic Zones: Azerbaijan as a Regional Manufacturing Hub" was held as part of the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026), Report informs, citing the Ministry of Economy.

Participants discussed the role of these structures in attracting investment, expanding production and exports, and integrating Azerbaijan into regional value chains. The panel was moderated by Guy Shone, Editor-in-Chief of the AnewZ TV channel.

Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli noted that Azerbaijan's favorable geographic location, emerging industrial ecosystem, and developing transport and logistics infrastructure reinforce the country's position as a regional manufacturing and export center. Attendees were briefed on the opportunities offered by industrial zones for attracting investment and diversifying the economy, as well as the incentives operating within these zones. The role of the Baku International Sea Trade Port and other logistics facilities in integrating producers into regional supply chains was highlighted separately.

Elnur Bagirov, Head of the State Service for Antimonopoly Control and Consumer Market Supervision, identified a competitive environment as a key prerequisite for economic development and investment activity.

The discussion featured Valeh Alasgarov, Chairman of the Board of the Alat Free Economic Zone; Polat Şen, President of the Consumer Durables Group at Koç Holding; Christian Wulff Søndergaard, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Denmark's Carlsberg; Marco Politi, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Italy's DBA Group; Nataly Mouravidze, Head of the EBRD Resident Office in Azerbaijan; and UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Dmytro Shlapachenko.

Participants were also informed about the special legal and regulatory regime of the economic zone, investor incentives, and opportunities for export-oriented production. The parties exchanged views on the prospects for international companies in Azerbaijan, the role of institutional and financial support for the private sector, and the outlook for sustainable economic growth and expanded regional cooperation.