THE MAGIC OF STONE - AKKORD BUILDS AND DECORATES

The non-oil sector of the Azerbaijan economy is becoming a powerful catalyst for the development of the republic, where more and more large-scale projects are being implemented with direct support and encouragement from the state.

An example of the successful development of local producers is the open joint-stock company - the Akkord Construction and Industrial Investment Corporation, which has taken a decent niche in the construction sector of Azerbaijan.

Along with the construction of residential buildings, Akkord has achieved success in the field of supplying building material to the dynamically developing construction sector in Azerbaijan.

A good example of the success of the Akkord Corporation is the marble-granite factory located in Qaradag district, which will soon become one of the industrial centres of the country.

The opening of the enterprise on 9 August 2010 was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who stressed the importance and role of the plant in the development of the construction sector in our country and in the region as a whole.

The plant with a production capacity of 60 thousand square metres per month and a total area of 80 thousand square metres is equipped with the most modern equipment for cutting, polishing, and dividing marble and granite blocks.

The company fully fits into the concept for the development of the non-oil sector in our country, which is actively encouraged by international institutions and supported by the government.

The plant produces facing slabs of various sizes, stairs, window sills, railings, vases and fountains for outdoor decor and stones for pavements. The 44 Turkish, Chinese, Polish and Italian-made machines and units installed at the plant can process the surface of products in many different ways. The surface may be wet, sanded, edged or baked. Stones can be made both with natural and sanded finishes and polished.

The plant also follows Akkord's own strategy aimed at reducing the importation of construction materials and meeting the demand for them from domestic resources. It processes the natural limestone "aglay", produced in Azerbaijan itself, which largely reduces the expenses of the enterprise.

And 30 per cent of the products are used in construction carried out by the company itself. In particular, Akkord products were used for cladding and decorating underpasses built by the company in the capital.

It should be noted that the granite-marble factory owns two limestone quarries in Azerbaijan, as well as a beige marble quarry in Turkey and a granite quarry in Ukraine.

The plant is also engaged in the production of marble and granite blocks purchased from around the world.

Investment in the construction of the plant exceeded 19 million manats, 3.5 million of which was allocated in the form of a preferential loan by the National Fund to Support Entrepreneurship at Ministry of Economic Development.

The plant and the quarries of the enterprise employ over 200 people. Particular attention is paid to environmental issues, which is why a water treatment plant has been installed at the factory.

To receive private orders by individual parameters, centres have been opened in Badamdar, Kurdaxani and Lokbatan.

The work done by the Akkord Corporation in a relatively short period indicates that the company intends to leave a significant mark on the history of modern construction in Azerbaijan, continuing to actively participate in major regional projects and gaining a greater standing in the construction sector of the Caucasus and Eurasia.