Statistics shows growth in export of non-oil products

“Made in Azerbaijan” brand is winning glory in the world and exhibitions, organized by the state bring excellent results.

The export missions play an important role in expanding non-oil exports and promoting the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand. Since early 2017, Azerbaijan has already sent export missions to Qatar, Kazakhstan, Germany, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Earlier, Vice-President of Azerbaijan Investments and Export Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev said that Azerbaijan will send export missions to four countries by the end of 2017 -- to China`s Shanghai, Russia`s Saint Petersburg, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Chairman of Centre for Economic and Social Development Vugar Bayramov during his interview with Azernews said that "Made in Azerbaijan" brand is important for promoting local products both in Azerbaijan and abroad.

“Development of the non-oil sector directly reflects itself in the form of expanding the export of nonoil products, and the goal is to ensure that non-oil products are available in new markets,” he stressed.

Further he noted that in the export of non-oil products growth is observed: “For the past nine months of this year, the export turnover of the non-oil sector amounted to $1.07 billion, which is 25 percent more than the figure for the same period last year.”

Bayramov went on to say that the main goal is to expand access to new markets, adding that in addition to traditional markets, it is also important to enter new markets.

“Made in Azerbaijan is an initiative aimed at entering new markets, including the markets of the European Union. EU is one of the largest markets in the world. And, ultimately, this market is an important direction for entrepreneurs in terms of both competitive opportunities and sustainable income.”

He said that currently, the government is working to create an Azerbaijani shelf in supermarkets of the EU.

“On the other hand, it allows entrepreneurs to get acquainted with the products produced in Azerbaijan. But of course the EU is not the only market. In particular, in the countries of the Persian Gulf, as well as in China, the promotion of the Azerbaijani brand is underway,” according to the expert.

Answering the question about the strategic markets, the expert said that those are the EU, the countries of the Persian Gulf, the CIS countries, Turkey and Russia.

Speaking of Russia Bayramov mentioned that export of agricultural products to the northern neighbor continues, further adding that about 90 percent of Azerbaijan's agricultural products fall to this country.

“The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia has amounted to $2.1 billion since the beginning of the year,” he said.

Touching upon Turkey Bayramov added that the country is one of the important markets and the trade turnover between the two states has amounted $2.3 billion.

“So, Russia and Turkey make up 25 percent of the total trade turnover of Azerbaijan.”

“The trade turnover between the EU and Azerbaijan has been 36 percent, and by the end of the year it is expected to increase to 40 percent,” the expert concluded.