President Aliyev: Industrialization policy continues
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited southern regions of the country on September 18 to take part in the opening of new socially important facilities aimed at improving lives of population.
The opening of the Masalli Industrial Estate will serve to strengthen the industrial potential of the region, President Aliyev said at the meeting with local entrepreneurs following the inauguration ceremony.
“At present, we are launching the first phase of the Industrial Estate. The territory is quite extensive. Additional buildings will be constructed here in the future. I am sure that thousands of people will be provided with jobs here. In addition, we will reduce our dependence on imports,” he said.
President Aliyev pointed to the fact that in general, the initiative to create industrial estates in the regions was very correct.
“Earlier, we marked the opening of such centers in Sumgayit, Mingachevir, Neftchala, and today in Masalli. The process of creating industrial zones in Hajigabul and Sabirabad districts is also underway. This, first of all, is evidence of state policy because the state is a party investing its fixed assets here,” he said adding that this is tremendous support for entrepreneurs.
The head of state underlined that the industrialization policy continues successfully in the country.
“Azerbaijan’s non-oil industry has increased by almost 11 percent in eight months of this year. This is a fairly high indicator, indicating how much work has already been done and will still be done in this area,” he said.
Ilham Aliyev pointed out that Baku and Sumgayit are the main industrial cities of the South Caucasus.
“Large industrial enterprises are being established in Sumgayit this year. One of them, a polypropylene plant, was opened a few months ago, while a polyethylene plant is scheduled to open at the end of the year. The volume of investment in these two plants exceeds $800 million. In general, the volume of past and future investments in the Sumgayit Chemical Industry Park exceeds $2 billion,” he said.
The President went on to say that this remarkable project being implemented in Masalli today shows that Azerbaijan is on the right track in the field of industrial development.
He also noted that the dependence on imports is reducing, local production is emerging, taxes will be paid and people will be provided with jobs.
“The population of Azerbaijan is growing. Masalli is one of our biggest districts in terms of population, so the process of creating jobs must be permanent,” President Aliyev added.
Speaking of his frequent visits to Masalli, Ilham Aliyev said that this region has always received a lot of attention.
“Infrastructure projects are well underway in Masalli. Gasification is approaching 100 per cent, I am sure that all settlements and people will be fully supplied with gas next year,” he said. “Issues related to electricity are being addressed as well. New substations are being built so that the people of Masalli are provided with uninterrupted energy. During my visit here in 2016, we marked the opening of a project to provide the city with drinking water. I believe this is also a historic event. The city of Masalli is fully provided with drinking water meeting the highest standards.”
The head of state further noted that about 85 percent of country roads have been reconstructed. He expressed confidence that there won’t be any unrepaired country roads left in Masalli region in the coming years.
“As for the road infrastructure, I should note that the Baku-Astara highway has been opened today. This is also a historic project. It shows the capabilities of Azerbaijan. At the same time, the road is of very high-quality and meets the highest international standards. From the point of view of distance, the road from Baku to Astara has reduced by about 40 kilometers because a new road has been built. There were swamps in these places before. The new road bypasses cities – both Bilasuvar and Masalli. It goes in a new direction – right up to the border. Of course, I believe that the people of Masalli district will also appreciate this because the round-the-clock traffic, especially of heavy-duty vehicles, along the highway, created inconveniences for people and posed certain safety threats,” he said.
President Aliyev further talked about the implementation of social projects in Masalli.
“We have completed major work related to the social and economic development of Masalli district. Of course, a lot still remains to be done. Despite the fact that more than 40 schools have been built and repaired, there are still a lot of schools in need of repair,” he said. “Early next year, we will adopt a new State Program on the social and economic development of the region, and the proposals coming from the ground will, of course, play an important role in the drafting of this program.”
President Aliyev toured the regions of the country, Masalli and Bilasuvar, on September 18 to take part in the opening of a number of social and infrastructure facilities, including the Alat-Astara-Islamic Republic of Iran state border highway, the Masalli-Nematlari LLC`s rice plant, the newly-reconstructed Shatiroba-Hishkadara-MiyankuKubin-Birinji Samidkhanli-KhallijaliEminli-Mammadkhanli highway, the inauguration of Zahmatabad-Baydili-Khirmandali-Aliabad highway in Bilasuvar region, the Flag Museum, the Youth House.
Speaking with representatives of Bilasuvar region’s general public following the inauguration of the new road, Ilham Aliyev said that the road infrastructure is being successfully upgraded.
“This year’s State Investment Program provides for the repairs of at least 600 country roads. These are being reconstructed. This includes the process of building main roads in line with the highest standards,” he said.
In short, social and economic development in Bilasuvar is proceeding successfully, the President noted.
“Infrastructure projects of the district are being implemented, the level of gasification is close to 90 percent. I have issued the instruction to raise the level of gasification of Bilasuvar district to 100 percent next year and also realize the projects that have not been implemented so far. About five years ago, we marked the opening of a drinking water project. As a result of the construction of power stations in Azerbaijan, new substations are also built and the uninterrupted supply of energy is improving,” he said.
The head of state further noted that Azerbaijan is taking serious steps in connection with the development of agriculture.
“Agriculture in Bilasuvar district, including cotton growing and other sectors, is successfully developing. With regard to cotton growing, I can say that sown areas have increased three to four times in the past three years. According to the information available to me, cotton sowing has been organized on 12,000 hectares this year, whereas three years ago this figure was 3,000 hectares,” he said.
Road construction, drinking water lines, gasification – all this requires large funds, Ilham Aliyev added.
"The Azerbaijani state pursues its own policy in this direction, carries out all work for the well-being of our people and improves their lives. We have ample opportunities, both economic opportunities and financial resources. This year, we will significantly increase our foreign exchange reserves. The results of eight months of the year are also very positive. Our exports have considerably increased, which exceeds imports by at least $5 billion. This serves economic stability, helps us maintain the manat rate at a solid level and allows us the opportunity to implement many important projects,” he said.
We have a strong economy, and Azerbaijan asserts itself on a global scale at the highest level today, he noted.
Touching upon the issue of army building, President Aliyev stressed that the Azerbaijani army today is among top 50 armies of the world.
“The military parades that took place in June and several days ago, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Army and the liberation of Baku from the invaders respectively, showed our strength and power,” he said.
The Armenian army cannot compete with us today, Ilham Aliyev stated.
“Armenia has found itself in an extremely dire situation. The regime of the criminal dictatorship, which led Armenia for 20 years, has fallen,” he said.
President Aliyev went on to say that unfortunately, the new leaders of Armenia do not realize their responsibility, are making foolish statements and taking steps that foment tensions on the contact line, on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
“The Azerbaijani army is giving and will continue to give them a worthy rebuff, just as it did during the April battles in 2016 when we liberated a part of our lands, and in May of this year when a vast territory came under our control following a successful operation in the Nakhchivan direction. We will continue to give them a strong rebuff at the right time. The enemy knows that they cannot resist us. Just look – a few days ago, as a result of their armed provocation, there was a clash on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Our soldiers have taught them a lesson they are unlikely to recover from in the near future,” he said.
The army will be further strengthened and the fighting efficiency of the army will be multiplied, said the President.
“We will continue to develop successfully. Army building, the strengthening of the economic potential and international positions – a successful policy is being conducted in all these directions. Azerbaijan today is a country enjoying great respect on a global scale. It is an island of stability, security, development and creation,” he said.
Concluding his speech, President Aliyev highlighted that all this is underpinned by the hard work of the Azerbaijani people, the unity of the people and the government.