Azerbaijan through Eyes of British Investors

On the eve of the visit to Baku of the British Minister for Europe David Lidington, the government website of the country published material about the business opportunities for its citizens on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Noted that Azerbaijan is rapidly developing economies due to the development in recent years, its oil and gas sector and the liberalization of the trading system. "The UK, the biggest investor in Azerbaijan, has more than 500 companies in the country. Besides oil and gas sector, British companies have been successful in areas such as construction management and design, retail and education," said the material.

As the benefits of their participation are specified high public spending on infrastructure projects and diversification strategy. As the strength of the local market indicates a rapidly changing country and its strategic location as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In 2013, Britain exported to Azerbaijan goods and services worth nearly 1 billion GBP (besides services, this is technology, engineering and oil equipment with high added value).

"The project of the Southern Gas Corridor, a $ 40 billion, offers tremendous opportunities for UK companies involved in the supply, taking into account the fact that BP is the main operator in the oil sector of Azerbaijan. The project will cover almost every sector, from design through education," the authors of the material said.

The multimillion projects include the expansion of the Baku Metro, the development of regional infrastructure, starting with the wastewater to the growth of tourism, restoration and reconstruction of major highways, the construction of new railways and roads in Georgia and Turkey, private construction of power plants, the new port, the airport and the shipyard that can attract additional stream of British businessmen. The authors indicate that by the year 2020 the ICT sector in Azerbaijan will be invested $ 4 billion. They stress that the local government is looking for partners in the UK in the areas of cyber security, satellites, creating high-tech parks and industrial districts.

"Baku has several shopping malls of middle and high classes. Two more are expected soon. There are opportunities for the supply of accessories, gifts and Skin Care Tools from the luxury and medium brands," the text reads. Underscoring that education is one of the priority sectors in Azerbaijan, the authors note that SOFAR funded government program of study abroad encourages growth quantity and quality of engineers and ICT specialists and law at prestigious foreign universities. Because noted the possibility of joint programs between universities, technical and vocational education and training, study abroad, and consulting services.

Even the development of sports writers interested in the complete information about the economic potential of Azerbaijan for the British. In their view, the fact that the election of Azerbaijan as venue for the first European Games in June 2015, Formula 1 competition in 2016, Islamic Games 2017 and several games of the European Football Championship in 2020 creates opportunities for the supply to these events will be announced when appropriate tenders. --17D-