Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Gazakh cannery of the “Azersun-Holding” LLC

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Gazakh cannery of the “Azersun-Holding” LLC. The cannery will process agricultural produce.

The head of state reviewed a stand describing the enterprises of “Azersun-Holding” in other districts of Azerbaijan.

It was indicated that the total cost of the plant with the annual production capacity of 21.5 tons was 14 million manats. To implement the project, the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economic Development has allocated a soft loan of 6.8 million manats. The cannery consists of workshops on freezing fruits and vegetables, production of different varieties of potato, cold storage and utility rooms. The enterprise, covering an area of 4.7 hectares, has the entire infrastructure and engineering structures built in line with the latest standards. The cannery will facilitate an increase in fruit and vegetable production in the country and provide domestic market with high-quality products.

It was noted that the construction of the cannery, built in accordance with Italian, Dutch and Turkish technologies, was launched in January and completed in April last year. There is a photo stand documenting the opening, in 1996-2011, of “Azersun-Holding” enterprises by great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state examined the design of the fruit freezing section, lay-out of the equipment and production of potato chips.

It was mentioned that the cannery currently freezes 10 types of fruit at a temperature of -18 degrees. At the first stage, the company expects to produce 5,000 tons of frozen raw fruits and 2,000 tons of pickles and vegetables, while at the second the plan is to launch new lines to process about 6,000 tons of potatoes, 3 tons of grapes, 3,000 tons of pickles and grape leaves. The new production line, the only one in the Caucasus, will provide for quick freezing of ripe fruits and vegetables, enable prolonged storage and delivery of products to customers at any time of year. Its advantage is that during the immediate freezing at -40-45 degrees the ice crystals appearing in the fruit are very small in size and do not destroy the fruit cells. In contrast to the fruits frozen in the usual way, these fruits do not release juice when thawed and fully retain their shape and taste.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev watched a short film describing the process of production of potato chips and frozen fruits and vegetables.

The President also reviewed a stand describing the investment projects financed and to be financed in the Ganja-Gazakh region using concessional state loans.

The executive director of the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economic Development, Shirzad Abdullayev, said that soft loans amounting to 83.2 million manats had been allocated to a total of 2,351 businesses in the Ganja-Gazakh region, including 38.7 million manats to finance 25 investment projects based on new technologies. These loans have led to the creation of over 17,000 new jobs. Fifteen of the 25 investment projects financed by soft loans have already been implemented. They cover various areas of entrepreneurship.

It was noted that the ongoing projects have increased the level of employment in the region, new high-tech manufacturing and processing companies, which have already begun to produce competitive and exported products, have been created.

Then the President examined the laboratory of the enterprise.

It was noted that the main function of the quality control laboratory was to examine the physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics of all products. The laboratory, fitted with modern equipment and chemicals, performs a quality analysis of the incoming raw materials.

After reviewing the laboratory, President Ilham Aliyev launched the enterprise and watched the production process.

It was noted that the canned products and frozen vegetables would be supplied to the domestic market and exported to foreign countries. Raw materials will be purchased from local purveyors and from the ethnic Azerbaijanis of Georgia.

This will provide an income to our compatriots living in the neighboring country and improve their well-being.

The project has provided jobs to 158 people. The cannery has been built on the site of the former automobile base, which consisted of old dilapidated buildings. In order to improve the lives of 17 IDP families settled in this area since 1994, they are to be provided with new housing and jobs at the cannery.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev spoke to the employees of the cannery. They thanked the President of Azerbaijan for the development the country has achieved in all areas in recent years.

After reviewing the enterprise, the President wished its staff every success and gave further instructions and recommendations.