President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of Sumgayit Oil Factory constructed as a part of "Azersun Industrial Park" .
After familiarizing himself with the enterprise, the head of state Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with the staff:
Today is a remarkable day in Sumgayit. Three plants are being opened in the city of Sumgayit. Two of them are in this territory. In this regard, I sincerely congratulate you. The launch of these plants is a manifestation of the development of industry in Azerbaijan. The development of industry is a priority for us, and it is no accident that this year has been designated as a “Year of Industry” in Azerbaijan.
We should continue making even more efforts to ensure that the non-oil industry develops at a high pace in Azerbaijan. In fact, these reforms have been conducted for many years. As a result of these reforms, the Azerbaijani economy is a multifaceted economy today. Our main duty was to develop the non-oil sector and reduce our dependence on the oil factor. We have almost achieved this. Currently, 55 per cent of our total economic potential takes shape in the non-oil sector. Of course, in the future we should try to ensure that the non-oil sector develops at an even higher pace. The launch of such big factories is a result of the policy being conducted in this sphere, of course.
The most up-to-date equipment has been installed here, the latest technologies are being used and working conditions are very good. The products manufactured here are competitive products. This is the main issue. We should try to ensure that the products of all factories that are being, or will be, created in Azerbaijan are competitive and can be exported to any country in the world and thus, we can access foreign markets with a greater amount of high quality finished products.
The competitiveness of our economy is increasing now. International organizations also note this. The launch of such factories will increase our potential even more. These factories create hundreds of jobs and pay high salaries. The development of industry will be even higher in the future.
As you know, the city of Sumgayit is Azerbaijan’s industrial centre. After Baku, it is the second largest industrial city in the South Caucasus. In fact, Sumgayit was created as an industrial city. Currently, Sumgayit is turning into a modern industrial city. Hundreds of factories and plants are operating here. The Sumgayit Technology Park has been operating for so many years. Thirteen factories are operating in the Technology Park, and five factories are under construction. Last year the foundations of a chemical industrial park were laid in Sumgayit. A big industrial estate will be created in an area of about 200 hectares. The activities of those plants will expand. In a word, as a modern industrial city, Sumgayit plays an important role in the development of the industrial potential of our country.
Unemployment has almost been eliminated. Attention is being paid to the creation of the social infrastructure in Sumgayit. Infrastructure projects are being implemented, the city is being renovated, new alleys are being laid out and buildings are being restored. Sumgayit is turning into a city of parks. Of course, the development of industry is directly linked to the development of the social sphere.
Great attention is being paid to environmental protection. All industrial enterprises that begin to operate in Sumgayit today must meet the highest environmental standards. This goal has been set, and environmental standards at plants operating not just in Sumgayit but in the whole of Azerbaijan must be at the highest level, because there used to be problems with the environmental situation in Sumgayit. These problems have almost been eliminated. In a word, today is a remarkable day in the Year of Industry. I want to thank all citizens who supported the activities of these plants. Of course, investors have played the main role here. Ninety million manats were invested in both plants. This is the investors’ support for the Azerbaijani economy. It is a manifestation of their confidence in the successful future of Azerbaijan, because our country is speedily developing and all issues are being resolved successfully. We should try to attract as many domestic and foreign investors as possible to Azerbaijan. The business environment is good here. Lucrative businesses are being created. That’s to say entrepreneurs, those working here and the state benefit and must benefit from this. So Azerbaijan’s economy is developing on the basis of this mutual benefit.
Today the private sector forms a major part of our economy. Wonderful conditions have been created for business. At my constant meetings with businessmen, I always show my support for them. The state also attracts financial resources and money from the National Fund to Support Entrepreneurship has been envisaged for both factories. That’s to say the state and the private sector are pursuing one goal here – to develop the country, to strengthen the industrial potential, and to provide people with jobs. We will continue this path in the future. The successful development of these plants reflects our country’s general development strategy.
Thanks to the work of the paper and cardboard production complex, centres will open not only in Sumgayit, but throughout our republic, and jobs will be created there. Centres will be set up to collect that waste paper and we will contribute to the elimination of environmental problems at the same time, because currently, old paper, newspapers and other unnecessary things are burnt and pollute the air. Now all waste paper will be collected here and thus, we will support improvements in the environmental situation. The particularity of these two enterprises is that as a result of their activities, we will totally meet our need for cardboard, paper and vegetable oil. That’s to say this is the aim that has been set. I have repeatedly said that all required products must be manufactured in Azerbaijan. Export potential is being created. Both vegetable oil and paper and cardboard products will be exported.
In a word, the launch of the enterprises is a remarkable event and makes me very happy, because jobs and modern industrial sectors are being created here and because the launch of these enterprises confirms once again how correct the state policy of Azerbaijan is. I sincerely congratulate you and wish you success.
