Media Review August 20, 2019

Support for small and medium-sized businesses, the attitude to high credit interest, and higher prices in the automotive market are the topics of today's media.

The newspaper "Azerbaijan" writes about the activities of the Agency for Small and Medium Business, created in December 2017. The article notes that improving the business environment has turned the private sector into a leading force in the economy. The agency plays the role of a bridge between government agencies and SMEs (small and medium-sized businesses). In addition, the "SME Friend" mechanism is being created in the country, it is planned to create a network of 60 such structures in 10 economic regions. Over the 6 months of this year, 5 such structures began to operate in the Absheron region, in Sumgait, Sheki, Gabala and Fizuli.

The site "Bizimyol.info" writes about high credit interest in banks. Deputy Vahid Ahmedov is outraged that banks accept deposits at 12%, and loans are issued at 25%. Representative of the Association of Banks Sahib Dashdamirov, in turn, objects, noting that all banks have different interest rates. According to him, currently free funds are being formed that will be used to develop small and medium-sized businesses. As for interest rate policy, it is formed according to the market.

The site "Axar.az" writes about the situation in the car market. The author claims that car prices have risen. The highest prices for German cars. Over the past 3 months, the price of cars has increased by 1000-1200 manat. Buyers prefer to buy cars that consume little gas and have inexpensive parts. Sellers believe that car prices are unlikely to fall by fall.