Current and Prospective Analysis of the Revenue and Expenditures of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ)

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) [1] has had its budget proposals reviewed by the Chamber of Accounts since 2018[2]. Previously, SOFAZ's budget proposals were approved directly by the country's president without the opinion of the Chamber of Accounts.

In the territories of Karabakh liberated from Armenian occupation, the clients of reconstruction and redevelopment projects are various state institutions. Among them are several central executive authorities, such as the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, the State Housing Construction Agency (MIDA), the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and others.

The deduction of expenses for food, housing, and representative costs from income has always been a topical issue from a taxation perspective, frequently discussed in relation to the extent of deductions allowed for workers' food and housing expenses and entrepreneurs' representative expenses.

This article examines public participation in budget management during the tenure of Samir Sharifov, who served as Azerbaijan's 5th Minister of Finance throughout a significant portion of the country's post-independence period. By analyzing his 19 years of service, we aim to assess his contributions and the Ministry's approach under his leadership.