"Privatization in Azerbaijani Way" Continues

In the first half of this year, the number of privatized enterprises in Azerbaijan decreased. It is an indicator of downtrend.

According to the State Committee for Property Affairs (SCPA), for the six months there were privatized 355 entities of small privatization (enterprises, vehicles, unfinished buildings, non-residential premises, etc.), 222 land areas under facilities, as well as shares of 14 joint-stock companies.

During the same period in 2014 it was recorded 370 entities privatized in small-scale privatization, 270 of land under privatized and private enterprises and 17 joint-stock companies’ shares.

Observers point out that privatization in Azerbaijan has the national character of corruption: almost all objects are sold to a pre-specified person, and therefore, there is no competition in the trades. The object is sold at the starting price, which is many times lower than the established market prices for real estate in the country.

Control over the process of privatization is virtually nonexistent. Established by the presidential decree, the State Commission for Control over state property privatization led by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade has not met since its formation on 28 February, 2007.

From 1996 to 2013 in Azerbaijan there were privatized about 40 thousand small enterprises and objects, as well as motor vehicles. SCPA does not disclose the revised data for 2014.

Privatization in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is carried out by the government of the exclave. ----08D