CARTE BLANCHE TO THE VILLAGE AND WAR ON CORRUPTION

Azerbaijan approved its first State Programme for the social and economic development of its regions 10 years ago thereby declaring the introduction of its own model of economic progress. The implementation of the second such programme was completed in 2013. "If the first programme had not been adopted in 2004, Azerbaijan's present-day realities could be absolutely different. Development of the regions, support for entrepreneurs, development of the non-oil sector, reduction of our dependence on import and building an export potential have marked the past few years," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at a conference held to sum up the results of the two state programmes.     

Altogether, 50.7bn manats has been channelled from all sources towards the efforts to implement the two programmes: 16bn for the first and 34.7bn for the second one. But the game was worth the candle, as was said earlier. Now the third programme is next in line and it is to be conclusive with respect to many parameters. 

Insistent proposal 

Judging by their indicators, the first and second state programmes were exceeded. It is always easier to continue something already started than build from scratch, all the more so that this country's physical resources have essentially grown over the years.  

Some goals in the new programme are basically the same as before but this time they are entering their final phase to accomplish infrastructural projects and solve problems related to energy, gas and water supply. 

It is also a priority task to develop the farming sector and become 100 per cent self-sufficient in food supply. It should be said that it will not be very difficult to achieve for certain product items: the supply level is already 94 per cent for meat and meat products, 92 per cent for poultry meat, 96.5 per cent for eggs , 75 per cent for milk and dairy products, 65 per cent for grain,  94 per cent for grapes, 98 per cent for potatoes, 100 per cent for melons and gourds, 126 per cent for fruit and berries, 100 per cent for vegetables, 72 per cent for salt, 174 per cent for sugar and sugar products (this is our greatest export potential), 70 per cent for vegetable oils and margarine and 50 per cent for butter. 

In this context, the head of state announced, a special directive is being drawn up on reforms in agriculture. "Stepping up local production, reducing dependence on import, growing produce for export - these are priority issues," I.Aliyev said speaking about tasks for the next five years. 

The government will have to increase crop yields, bring new areas into cultivation through new large-scale soil reclamation projects, the use of modern technologies (in particular, it is necessary to create an electronic farmer registration system and an electronic inventory of lands) and so on. In addition, instructions have been issued to specialise the regions during the next five years and develop special incentives for each item of the products they grow.  

As regards financial support, the head of state has promised that it will be provided everywhere in future as well. But he also warned: "It is necessary to ensure full transparency in the issuance of subsidies. This is my last warning," I.Aliyev said. 

By the way, the president reminded once again that it is the need to protect local producers that keeps Azerbaijan from membership of the World Trade Organization, "despite the fact that we are being very strongly invited to joint it".  "There are reasons behind this. The first of them is protection for the local producer, protection for Azerbaijan's market. If we open our market as they say and offer free access for low-quality cheap foreign products, then our local production will 'die' and peasants will sustain losses," the head of state said.  Azerbaijan will join the WTO, he added, when export-oriented products become prevalent both in agriculture and in the industrial sector. "We'll see if they keep inviting us as insistently or not," I.Aliyev said. 

Last Warning

Among problems, the head of state also pointed out corruption, bribery, red tape and bureaucratic arbitrariness and called to step up struggle against this evil.  All the more so that the president's own political will has already provided a real foundation for efforts to make this struggle more effective. The creation of the "ASAN xidmat" system alone put an end to a great number of complaints from the population and now many Azerbaijani people dream that the range of services provided through this system will continue to expand. The head of state promised that "ASAN xidmat" will keep adding new functions in future. "In just one year, 'ASAN xidmat' received 1m requests.  Full transparency has been ensured, people are serviced in a civilised manner and with respect appropriate for Azerbaijani citizens. All structures working in direct contact with people must go by these principles," President I.Aliyev said. 

It appears that the "sore" of corruption can only be cured by radical methods. This is why the head of state voiced his last warning at the above said conference: "Why should be turn a blind eye to corruption, bribery?!  Why should this wound be rending us from the inside and why should it be poisoning us?! This is why I tell everybody to draw their conclusions.  Penalties are and will be applied. No-one here has or will have any immunity. A government official is a servant of the people. I am the first servant of the people and so must work all government officials," the head of state said.

AT FIRST HAND

"A government official is a servant of the people. I am the first servant of the people and so must work all government officials".

Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan 

DEVELOPMENT OF AZERBAIJANI ECONOMY OVER 10 YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE PROGRAMMES FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT  

Indicator                                                         Increase 

GDP                                                                3.4 times

Non-oil sector                                                  2.6 times

Investments                                                     6.5 times

Population's incomes                                      6.5 times

Production output in regions                           3.2 times

Monthly average wage                                    7.3 times

Tax revenues in regions                                14.2 times

Non-oil products export                                   4.7 times 

Non-oil export product range                           1.7 times

FIGURES AND FACTS 

"Over the past 10 years, more than 19,000 entrepreneurs have received soft loans totalling 1.2bn manats from the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support; the projects created up to 110,000 new jobs. The regions account for 78 per cent of the loans and 81 per cent of the new jobs"  

Sahin MUSTAFAYEV, minister of economy and industry

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"Within the two programmes, 8,332 km of roads have been built and repaired, 222 bridges and overpasses have been built and 85 bridged have undergone major repairs. In addition, more than 400 km of railways has been overhauled; 4 new airports have been built in the regions, 2 airports have been completely renovated; new aircraft have been purchased. A total of 8.2bn manats from different sources has been spent on all these efforts in the road and transport system"

Ziya Mammadov, transport minister 

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"In 2004-2013, the rural population increased by 10.2 per cent while the output of farm produce grew 3.3 times. During that period, the plant output increased 3 times totalling the worth of 2,627m manats. The output of animal products totalled 2,617m manats in 2013 (increasing 3.8 times)"

 Heydar Asadov, agriculture minister 

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"In 2004… gas supply infrastructure was at 39.8 per cent in this country. In 2013, this rate was increased to 89.8 per cent including up to 99 per cent in Baku city and 83.4 per cent in the regions. The number of real customers among the population exceeds 1.6m people today compared with 2004 when it was below 0.7m people"

Rovnaq ABDULLAYEV, SOCAR president 

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"Before the launch of the state programmes, only 26 per cent of consumers had uninterrupted water supply; now the figure has reached 55 per cent"

Qorxmaz HUSEYNOV, chairman of Azersu open joint stock company