BUSINESS IS WELCOME, BUT CORRUPTION WON'T BE TOLERATED

The western region of Azerbaijan hosted a distinguished guest this month - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Tovuz, Qazax, Samux, Ganca, Naftalan and Goranboy. The schedule was quite a busy one - a number of facilities were opened in every district and town that hosted the head of state: industrial plants, roads, houses for displaced people and health, culture and tourism facilities.

The president of Azerbaijan periodically visits the regions to inspect the implementation of programmes for their development and examine problems on the ground. This trip was no exception and was memorable for a number of important reasons.

Without going into detail about the visit, we simply note that the mere number of facilities opened by the president during his visit is an indication of the current level of socioeconomic development in the regions. The outcomes of the policy on regional and sectional diversification of the economy are evident.

According to statistics, the growth in non-oil GDP last year was 7.9 per cent, the proportion of non-oil GDP reaching 44.4 per cent. We should note that progress in the non-oil sector is taking place alongside continuing development in the oil and gas industry - the mining industry still makes up 75.8 per cent of the total volume of goods manufactured in the country.

Of course the private sector has a major role in the development of the non-oil economy. But without government support, business would not have overcome the mass of problems inherited from the collapsed socialist economy, which also suffered from the chaos and war of the early years of independence. Measures to create a favourable environment for business, and the infrastructure projects being implemented by the state, increase the attractiveness of the non-oil economy for investors.

In 2010, about 10 billion manats were invested from all sources in the economic and social development of the country, most (66.3 per cent) being channelled into construction projects. It is noteworthy that the ratio of domestic and foreign investment in Azerbaijan's economy amounted to 75.2 per cent, against 24.8 per cent in favour of domestic sources. At the same time, the bulk of investments, as before, were made on development in the industrial areas - 42.5 per cent. Only 4.6 per cent were invested in agriculture but, apparently, this year this figure will increase significantly. This is confirmed by statements made by the president in the western region of the country.

"According to my recent instructions, free land is to be allocated for the establishment of large farms in Azerbaijan in order to promote crop production. These lands will be identified in the near future and the state will organize all infrastructure support - electricity and water supplies, so that we can achieve greater successes in agriculture, particularly in crop production in Azerbaijan," President Aliyev said, adding that much can be done in sectors such as livestock and viticulture.

The main objective is to ensure the country's food security from domestic resources, particularly against the backdrop of global concerns about a food crisis. Azerbaijan currently provides for almost 70 per cent of domestic needs in crop production and poultry farming. There is the potential for almost 100 per cent self-reliance in meat and dairy products, vegetable oils, sugar and other basic foods.

Another goal is to access foreign markets, which necessitates further improvement in the business climate and the removal of barriers to business development. The president dwelt on this issue separately.

"In some cases, in particular to prevent unjust actions against businessmen, very serious measures have been taken recently. These measures have been implemented regularly, but I think we need to intensify efforts in this area. We must put an end to groundless intervention and unnecessary checks," said the head of state, expressing his full political support for business.

In this context, Ilham Aliyev confirmed the state's intention to strengthen the fight against bribery and corruption. The government received instructions on this matter from the president at a cabinet meeting earlier in the year. And the results of the measures taken to improve the effectiveness of the fight against corruption were not long in appearing - the authorities acted quickly to eliminate shortcomings. Society is now discussing the first results of this work. The head of state has also appealed to citizens for support in strengthening public control. "I ask you and all citizens of Azerbaijan to inform the presidential administration, other relevant bodies and local executive bodies of all the unpleasant facts of injustice and unreasonable demands, so that we can eliminate these shortcomings and this evil as soon as possible," the president said.

Overall, the Azerbaijani president's visit to the western region of the country demonstrated the state's firm intention to solve all existing problems in the economy and the social and public spheres.

The ultimate goal is to rise to the level of developed countries; international experts believe that Azerbaijan is getting closer on a number of parameters. But much remains to be done, the president said, adding that everything is in place to achieve this - political will, economic and political independence and talented people.