Are the voiced indicators of the country"s prosperity valid?

At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan on the basis of socio-economic development in the first half of 2014 President Ilham Aliyev gave a lot of positive numbers without mentioning the negative trends.

According to him, in the reporting period, the economy grew by 2.1%, the share of non-oil sector by 7% with an inflation rate of 1.6% from January to July and increase income by 4.7%.

The Head of State noted the growth of agriculture by almost 6%, while the country's foreign exchange reserves exceeded $ 54 billion. The average monthly salary is, according to Aliyev, 440 manat or $ 560. A total of 1 million 300 thousand jobs opened over the 11 years of his presidency. He also gave other figures on the progressive movement and stability of the country's economic welfare.

What actually are the trends in the economy of Azerbaijan? According to the founder of the Center for Economic Research Doctor of Science Gubad Ibadoglu optimism of the head of state is based on the fact that the economy is "cluttered" reliable assets (mainly the State Oil Fund) abroad and protected until the flow of foreign direct investment in the oil and gas industry. However, this is not a panacea and not a reason to issue optimistic reports.

The share of products of agriculture in the revenue side of the budget is 4.5%, the government is investing in this area is much less than in the article "other expenses", not to mention the investment projects for multiple repairs of roads, construction of bridges, investing in infrastructure and tourism facilities and other matters.

The state invests minuscule in science, invention and innovation, purchasing all the technology and equipment abroad. Such a policy regarding the high price of oil - bad shock absorber, as foreign high-tech products in all senses cost is very expensive, thus, to put it mildly, are distributed not quite as intended.

According to the specialist, the monopolization of imports in all sectors of the real economy does not develop this segment fully. The share of agricultural products of local production in the real economy, not to mention the clothes, consumer goods, instruments and equipment, is extremely low. With its high-quality fruits and vegetables, local entrepreneurs buy cheap products with the presence of GMOs, thereby jeopardizing the health of the nation.

The level of shadow economy is high, the expert said, citing specific examples. Even in the figures provided by the State Statistics Committee, the Customs Committee and trade representatives of foreign embassies in Baku, reflecting the development of bilateral trade relations, there is a huge difference.

Standard of living by the State Statistics Committee, indexing it in accordance with the presidential decree and realities do not match - the tangible costs of all categories of the population in more than 2 times higher than the President declared.

If we consider that the welfare of citizens is the main indicator of the country's wealth, it is not necessary to wait for effects of the crisis in late summer - in Azerbaijan, especially in the provinces, he began the transition to the so-called regulated economy and will not end with this attitude of the government to the people, said the Doctor of Economics. - 17D-