Azerbaijan: Broadband expansion and a slight speed jump

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan has greenlit a comprehensive new framework for organizing and conducting qualification exams enabling individuals to manage railway transport. This development, embodied in a resolution dated July 2, 2024, aligns with directives from a presidential decree issued on December 25, 2023, aimed at enhancing operations at Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint Stock Company.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan has enacted amendments to the "commodity nomenclature of foreign economic activity, rates of import customs duties, and rates of export customs duties," originally approved by a decree on November 17, 2017, No. 500.

In a significant step towards bolstering its tourism infrastructure ahead of the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), Azerbaijan showcased its National Booking Platform and awarded star ratings to hotels meeting the National Star Classification standards in a ceremony on Wednesday. The event, held in Baku, underscored the country's readiness to host the international conference, set to attract a substantial influx of visitors.

Baku Metro transported 113,195,216 passengers in the first half of 2024, marking a 12.2% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and a 5.3% rise from 2023. However, the number of passengers is still 3% lower than in the first half of 2019.