President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today attended the inauguration of Neftchala Industrial Hub.

Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state about the works done here.

Seven industrial areas, a two-storey administrative building, technical and auxiliary buildings were built in the industrial hub. 45.3 million manats were invested in the construction of production areas in the industrial district. The industrial hub created 474 permanent jobs.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the industrial hub.

The head of state viewed the production blocks and enterprises here.

One of the largest enterprises in the hub is Azermash OJSC - Iran Khodro joint car plant. The annual production capacity of the plant will be 10,000 cars. The facility will create 300 jobs. The plant is expected to be commissioned in December 2017.

President Ilham Aliyev also familiarized himself with the activity of Neftchala fish feed plant. The annual production capacity of the facility is 25,000 tons. Neftchala fish feed plant will create 26 jobs.

The head of state launched the facility.

Metak LLC, which has been operating for two decades, also established its own enterprise in Neftchala Industrial Hub. 1.35 million manats were invested in the enterprise.

President Ilham Aliyev launched the facility.

The head of state also toured Gilan PIVOT LLC. The annual production capacity of the enterprise will be 60-80 irrigation systems. The facility will create 15 jobs. The enterprise will start operating in November 2017.

The Azerbaijani President visited the workshop in the Neftchala Industrial Hub. All conditions have been created here for small entrepreneurs. The facility will create 10 permanent jobs.

President Ilham Aliyev also visited Togrul-2008 LLC, Providence Limited LLC, Azproduct LLC and Sun Rise Production LLC.

President Ilham Aliyev also toured the administrative building of the industrial district. The building has a meeting room, modern offices, an exhibition and sales center, a medical point, a post office and a canteen.

The head of state then met with representatives of local public, and addressed them.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- It is a very significant day in the history of the city of Neftchala today. An industrial hub is beginning to operate in Neftchala. I congratulate you on this wonderful event.

I am very glad that a beautiful estate has been created in a short time. This industrial hub will play a very important role in the development of Neftchala District. Several enterprises have already started to operate here, and several more will be launched in the coming months. In other words, the decision we made earlier is already reflected in life. Two years ago, I signed a relevant Order on the establishment of the Neftchala Industrial Hub. The beautiful industrial estate created in a matter of two years is now being commissioned. This shows that all our decisions are implemented in a short time and at a high level. The operation of this industrial hub will give a powerful impetus to the economy of both the region and the country. The launch of this industrial estate actually marks the beginning of a new stage of the work to be done in this direction. Our country is successfully conducting the policy of industrialization. Large industrial enterprises are being opened in our major industrial centers, in particular the cities of Baku, Sumgayit and Ganja. A large industrial zone is being created in the city of Mingachevir, and the implementation of such projects in smaller towns is also very significant. The first industrial zone to be created after large cities is in Neftchala District. Two more industrial estates will start functioning in Masalli and Hajigabul districts in the near future.

The policy of industrialization is conducted successfully. By creating such zones, we as a state provide further support to business people. This zone was established on our initiative. The Azerbaijani state came out with this initiative and allocated funds for the creation of this zone in the amount of more than 20 million manats. All infrastructure issues have been resolved, modules have been built and the private sector has been granted loans to start operating. The private sector has also invested 45 million manats due to loans and at its own expense. This shows that there is a partnership between the state and the private sector here. If we had not made this initiative, if we had not put it forward, this zone would never have appeared. This zone is here now and it will become even bigger. As far as I know, there is a keen interest on the part of local entrepreneurs. The goods that are produced and will be produced here in the future will help us to replace imports. Our main goal now is to further strengthen local production and reduce dependence on imports.

The biggest enterprise in this zone is an automobile plant. As a result of the operation of this plant, we will to a certain extent eliminate dependence on imported automobiles and, at the same time, create opportunities for exports. The establishment of this plant is a manifestation of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, and I am very glad that such a beautiful enterprise has been created in Azerbaijan, in Neftchala. According to the information provided to me, a total of about 500 people will be provided with jobs at the Neftchala industrial estate. This can be considered as yet another step towards eliminating unemployment. You know that according to this indicator Azerbaijan is among leading countries on a global scale – unemployment is at a very low level in Azerbaijan. However, we should always create new jobs because Azerbaijan’s population is growing. Our population grows by at least 100,000 people every year. Of course, job creation should become an ongoing process. It is necessary to create jobs that would serve the development of both industry and agriculture. As a result of the creation of these jobs, our manufactured products will replace imports. We see this in the Neftchala industrial estate. We can say that all the enterprises represented here will reduce and replace imports. Local products will be delivered to the domestic and foreign markets.

This industrial hub is very important. This shows that we are on the right track and the decisions we make are carried out in a timely manner and at a high level. We have created this estate in a matter of two years. This gives grounds to say that such industrial quarters can be created in every district. In fact, an appropriate instruction on this issue has already been given and I am sure that industrial zones will soon be established in all our districts.

The Investment Program for the next year should envisage the creation of industrial zones in new regions among state investment expenditure. An appropriate instruction has been issued, and business people living in the regions should, of course, actively participate in the creation of these estates. After all, investments are being made here, i.e. in production, by the private sector. Of course, as I have already mentioned, the state will also provide constant support. The state has chosen this territory, carried out an infrastructure project here, built modular structures, mobilized entrepreneurs, granted loans on preferential terms so that they would do their job well.

So I want to congratulate you on this wonderful event once again. I want to note again that this estate will provide great support for the development of Neftchala District. The development of the district must be successfully continued. Numerous important projects have been carried out in Neftchala District – social projects, economic projects, infrastructure projects. Today I will take part in the opening ceremony of the Central District Hospital after its major overhaul. This large hospital meets the highest standards now. Road projects are being successfully implemented in Neftchala District – a road project connecting 11 villages has been commissioned and another will be completed soon. As a result of this project, more than 20 villages will be linked by a beautiful road and, thus the road problem of most villages in Neftchala District will be resolved.

A lot of work has been done in the area of irrigation. We are launching new farmland areas. Work on land reclamation is well under way. Today we will celebrate the first stage of commissioning of the Neftchala water main and pumping station. Thus, a great impetus will be given to the development of agriculture. In a word, we have a comprehensive approach to the development of the district. Agriculture, of course, is the key sector industry, and Neftchala is becoming one of the industrial centers of our country. I congratulate you on this wonderful event again and wish you continued success.