Documents on Strategic Roadmap Intentionally Tightened in Presidential Administration - Expert

The time allotted for the development of a strategic roadmap providing the global economic reforms has expired, but still on the document there is not any news. This was written by the economist Gubad Ibadoglu on his Facebook page.

The expert reminded that on March 16, 2016, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree approving the Main Directions of Strategic Roadmap for the National Economy and the Main Sectors of the Economy.

The Working Group, chaired by the Assistant President of Economic Reforms Natig Amirov was within six months to submit to the President a draft economic development strategy for 2016-2020, the project of long term vision to 2025, and the project to set targets after 2025.

The roadmap is divided into eight main sectors: petrochemicals, agriculture, consumer goods, heavy industry and engineering, tourism, logistics, along with trade, affordable housing and training.

The infrastructures include ICT, financial and public services with a view to full privatization.

The economist noted that he had no doubt that the draft documents in a timely manner were presented to the Presidential Administration, but, nevertheless, the promulgation of the document is deliberately and expectedly delayed.

“Despite the fact that the company McKinsey has been involved for a lot of money, as expected, it is not so easy to pass the document through the administration. I doubt that in the near future it will be possible to overcome the forces in the administration, which inhibit the action of the documents. The case will be delayed, causing many losses to the economy, the business and us as consumers,” said Ibadoglu.

Meanwhile, the Center for the Analysis and Communication of Economic Reform has responded to the statement by Ibadoglu and spread a message that the document will be adopted by the end of the year and presented to the public.

The Executive Director of the Center Vusal Gasimli said the relevant work on the document under the guidance of the appropriate working group has already been completed and is currently under legal and linguistic expertise.

“At the same time, all state agencies provide their opinion on the document,” Gasimli.   -----71D