President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today familiarized himself with a rose oil plant of AzRose LLC, which is under construction, in Zagatala.

The head of state was informed about the facility. The plant occupies a total area of 3 hectares. A 5,000 cubic meter artificial lake was created here for irrigation purposes. Agricultural equipment was purchased, and experienced agronomists from Turkey were invited. Three artesian wells were drilled, gas and power lines were built, modern lighting system was installed and green areas were laid out here.

Rose oil production equipment was imported from Turkey. The plant will create 31 permanent and nearly 600 seasonal jobs. Azerbaijan will initially produce 125 liters of rose oil, which accounts for 4 percent of global production. The company`s products will be exported to the world market in 2018.

President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of local public and the plant`s staff.

The head of state made a speech at the meeting.

Speech of President Ilham Aliyev

- My warm greetings to all of you! A new agricultural sphere and a branch of processing sector has been created in Zagatala District. I am very happy about it. It is a very good indicator of development because every region of Azerbaijan and every branch must develop successfully.

The production of roses in our country, in particular the production of rose oil in Zagatala District, has developed for centuries. This sphere enjoyed great attention in the Soviet years. In the years that followed, for some reason this industry did not receive so much attention. Now, this sector is being restored on my instructions. A new modern enterprise is under construction and it will be put into operation in the near future. Roses have been planted on a plot of more than 100 hectares. The rose oil to be produced here will be supplied to the domestic market and exported to foreign markets. Thus, according to the information provided to me, hundreds of people have already been provided with jobs here. More than 500 permanent and seasonal jobs have been created. Workers will receive a good salary and benefit our country. After all, our main task is to maximize the development of agriculture using our natural capabilities and climatic conditions.

Zagatala and neighboring districts are experiencing very rapid development these days. Traditional agricultural sectors are being restored, including tobacco-growing, silkworm breeding and hazel-farming. As a result of the adoption and implementation of state programs, we will significantly increase the area under cultivation in the coming years. Thus, very strong agricultural potential will be created.

The production of rose oil is a traditional sphere for us. According to experts, the most favorable conditions, land and climate for the production of this oil are available in Zagatala District. This is why this beautiful new enterprise has been established here. I can see that rose bushes have already been planted on a large plot. I am sure that you, the people working here, will work hard and benefit both yourselves and the state.

In general, Zagatala District has great industrial and agricultural potential. Special attention is being paid to the development of the district. This is my eighth trip to Zagatala District as President, and during each trip I take part in the opening of important facilities. Social facilities and industrial enterprises have been commissioned here. The Zagatala airport has been built. The airport runway is being extended now to be able to accommodate large planes. A diagnostic center, a central district hospital, an Olympic center, schools have been built. More than 8,000 houses have been built and overhauled after the earthquake. Roads are laid and production sites are put into operation. As a result of the reconstruction of the tobacco factory, its production capacity has also increased. The company can produce final products. In particular, there is good development in the field of rose farming.

I am sure that the activities of this enterprise will be extensive and successful. Production of rose oil is not particularly widespread in the world. The key producers are Turkey and Bulgaria. According to my information, they account for about 90 per cent of production. By creating this enterprise and these sites, we will take up about 5 per cent of world production at the first stage. I am sure that these areas will expand even more in the future. The operation of the enterprise will enable us to produce rose oil in even larger volumes. In other words, we are rapidly revitalizing traditional spheres for us, the spheres that brought great benefits to villages in the Soviet era.

I congratulate you on this wonderful occasion. I wish you every success. I am sure you will work hard and benefit our state and people. Congratulations again!

                                X X X

On behalf of representatives of local public, Ilhame Mehdiyeva and Khazangul Zeynalova thanked the head of state for care and attention.

President Ilham Aliyev then viewed rose plantations.