Government Looking for Place in Kelbajar, Lachin for Airport Construction

BAKU, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has issued a decree to boost the cargo handling capacity of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, allocating 20 million manats ($11.8 million) from the presidential reserve fund for the port's expansion project.

A meeting was held between the State Service for Antimonopoly Control and Consumer Market Supervision and entrepreneurs in the fuel sector, highlighting both current challenges and promising steps toward progress. Discussions, organized under the Ministry of Economy, focused on fuel quality issues, consumer rights protection, and compliance with established standards in a country where vehicle fuel has long been a contentious issue.

Azerbaijan has marked a historic milestone in its food trade, recording unprecedented levels of food imports in 2024. According to the State Customs Committee, food imports for the first eleven months of the year rose by 10.8% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching $2.19 billion. This is $213.9 million higher than last year’s figure of $1.98 billion, underscoring a sharp increase in domestic demand.

In December this year, the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) marked its 25th anniversary, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the country's economy since its establishment in 1999. The milestone was commemorated at a gathering titled "From National Wealth to Sustainable Development" on December 24, attended by SOFAZ staff and key stakeholders.