Azerbaijani-American Business Forum

The development of economic relations between Azerbaijan and the United States was the focus of the business forum, which was held on December 1 at ADA University.

The forum was attended by the Minister of Taxes Fazil Mammadov, the head of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev, Deputy Foreign Minister, Rector of the ADA University Hafiz Pashayev, Deputy Minister of Economy Sahil Babayev, President of AmCham Ilgar Veliyev, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta, Azerbaijani Ambassador to US Elin Suleymanov, Deputy Assistant US Secretary of Commerce Michael Lally, etc.

American business was represented by Honeywel, International Development of Reinke, AGKO Corporation, John Deere, Commercial Airplanes Boeing, TERA International Group Inc and others.

"When I was ambassador to the United States, the bilateral Chamber of Commerce played an important propaganda role in the interests of Azerbaijan in the United States. Our speakers were such figures as Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Richard Lugar, etc. I hope that the Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce will maintain this level in the future,” Pashayev said.

He also noted the role of the founders of the Chamber for education of Azerbaijani students in the United States.

AmCham is a business union not acting on a commercial basis and promoting the business interests of Azerbaijan. AmCham was established in 1996 and it currently has 280 active members representing all sectors of the economy of Azerbaijan.

According to the entity’s President I.Veliyev, AmCham represents 80% of foreign investors in Azerbaijan and an important part of local investors.

In order to promote economic reforms in Azerbaijan, AmCham has developed a package of proposals under the title "White Paper 2016", which covers the banking and financial sector, corporate social responsibility, information and communication technologies, the issues of labor and migration, taxes, tourism, independence of the courts, customs, protection of brands .

The focus of the forum was on the issues of improving the business environment and the legal framework for attracting foreign investment, the fight against corruption, etc.

"Before investing, business studies the environment of the country, the state of corruption, transparency, protection of property, the quality of education," said US Ambassador Robert Cekuta.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to US Elin Suleymanov said the United States remains the main partner of Azerbaijan. “The availability of flights to New York and Chicago give impetus to business development. Cooperation in the field of education is developing,” said Suleymanov. March 1-2, 2017 in Washington, DC a large business conference will be held on Azerbaijan, and Transport Forum Silk Road will be held in May, he said.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Michael Lally supported the AmCham package of proposals. "For the development of business relations 20 proposals have been put forward. We are ready to work on these recommendations," he said.

The Minister of Taxes Fazil Mammadov noted the important role of fiscal policy in the development of business between the two countries. The basis of the economic reforms in Azerbaijan is the development of non-oil sector and expansion of the business environment.

“The Ministry of Taxes is interested in cooperation with AmCham. The tax reform we use AmCham’s proposals,” he said.

During the forum, the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan and the AmCham signed a Memorandum of Understanding. It involves the use of a green corridor and other crossing systems in the trafficking of goods and vehicles for the companies - members of AmCham. -03C06