Media Review for March 2, 2020

The newspaper Azerbaijan reports that in 2019 the non-oil sector exported goods worth $ 1 billion 954 million, which is 15.7% more than in 2018. During the reporting period, sales of products to Turkey increased by 16.5%, to Russia by 11.5%, to Georgia by 27.8%, and to Ukraine by 24.6%. Among these products, tomatoes totaled $ 189.3 million, gold - $ 172.4 million, and peeled hazelnuts - $ 124.2 million. In 2019, the Azexport.az portal received export orders worth $ 595.7 million, which is 15.9% more than in 2018.

The website Müsavat.com writes about a series of meetings held in the Presidential Administration with representatives of political parties, including opposition parties. However, the meetings were inconclusive, since the discussions were pointless, and those who were not related to the opposition were invited to the meeting. Nevertheless, the author believes that the current format of the meetings is the most acceptable, and the chairman of the Popular Front Party Ali Karimli should have received an invitation to the meeting. Some party leaders have protested meetings in the AP building. The author claims that the meeting immediately after the parliamentary elections is due to the fact that representatives of these forces could not get seats in parliament.

The Moderator.az website is discussing world oil prices with former finance minister Fikret Yusifov. In his opinion, the lack of effective treatment against the corona virus puts the world economy at risk. In February, the issue of the corona virus was not resolved, which is why the global financial market is declining. Over the past week, according to Yusifov, the value of all world stocks has fallen to $ 5 trillion, and this process is continuing rapidly. Compared to early January, the price of oil fell by almost $ 20, or 30 percent. If the virus lasts for more than a month, then the global economy will experience unprecedented decline. The demand for oil is reduced, within a month the price of oil can drop to $ 30, and a decrease in foreign exchange earnings in the country will increase pressure on the manat.

The website Modern.az writes about early marriages. According to statistics, Azerbaijan ranks first among the CIS countries in the issue of childbirth of 15-19 year old girls. Although officials say the country is working to prevent early marriage. The highest number of early marriages was registered in 2011 – 5,138 marriages, and in 2018 their number was 338. In 2011, the number of babies born by young people 15-17 years old was 4,392, and in 2018 – 2,129. The average age at marriage for men has also changed. While in 2000 the average age of their marriage was 28.4 years, then in 2018 - 29.   -0-