Azerbaijan cannot rely solely on domestic market, minister says

Azerbaijan cannot favor an economic model limited to the domestic market, Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said at the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026) in Baku, Report informs.

"One of the key issues we need to focus on is ensuring access to long-term financing and developing capital markets. The period from 2027 to 2030 will be very important in this regard. Expanding access to financing and activating the financial sector are crucial for moving to the next qualitative stage. Regional partnership in these areas is extremely important because a significant part of this is export-oriented," the minister said.

According to him, the Middle Corridor is one of the main areas in this regard.

"The Middle Corridor is not only about the transportation of goods and a transit route. It is also important for establishing joint processing centers and financial centers, creating a favorable environment for regional financial resources, and making joint investments. In fact, this is also the main objective of our national strategy for 2030. Our goals are very clear, and key performance indicators have been defined. We need each other more. Because together we can create a larger market and more diversified resources.

"This process starts with the digitalization of flows at borders, the processing of data and cargo, and the integration of the private sector, and extends to cooperation in energy security, critical mineral processing, and other strategic areas. These are the key elements of the ecosystem we are trying to align," Jabbarov added.