Press review 05.19.2018

The development of tourism in the country, the situation in the banking system, revenues from sweepstakes and lotteries are the leading topics of today's press.

The newspaper "Azerbaijan" writes about the development of tourism in the country. So, in 2017, Azerbaijan visited by 2 692 000 tourists, and the share of tourism is growing in GDP.

In January-February 2018, the bank charges of foreign tourists in Baku exceeded 190 million manat. The development of tourism is promoted by stability and peace in Azerbaijan, and the steps of the country's president are a powerful incentive for the development of tourism.

Contribute to this and the international competitions held in the country, as well as the launched system "ASAN Viza", using the regime of which tourists from 90 countries can come to the country.

The newspaper "Echo" published an article titled "Azerbaijani banks ask tax bribes for capitalization". For several years, the Azerbaijani banking sector suffered millions of losses. All this time banks ask the state for relief, in particular, to release for three years from taxation the profit that will be directed to capitalization. However, the state does not want to make such concessions.

Expert Akram Hasanov believes that the government is doing absolutely right, refusing banks in tax breaks. The state loses millions of manat while providing such tax benefits. Due to the current situation the Azerbaijani economy is not the most favorable.

The newspaper "New time" discusses the role of gambling in the state budget. One of the specific areas that are considered profitable at all times are lotteries and sweepstakes. In Azerbaijan, this direction is represented only by two companies: Azerleteria OJSC (100% owned by the state) and Azerinteltek CJSC. The first is the operator of various lotteries, and the second is the totalizator operator. Because of the specific nature of this industry (huge opportunities to launder money), companies involved here should be as transparent as possible. In the case of Azerleteria, this principle is being implemented, but it is difficult to say about the second company, but in view of the fact that 51% of the shares of this company are distributed between foreign companies (Turkcell - 28% and Intralot Group - 22.95%), information about the profit of this organization is unknown.