Dear friends, let me congratulate you on this wonderful event. A very remarkable event is taking place in Azerbaijan’s economic life today. We are practically laying the foundation of a new industrial sector in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan will now be able to produce high-quality salt. This plant is a logical result of the economic policy being pursued in Azerbaijan. Our goal is to facilitate comprehensive and diversified economic development. All our economic objectives are being met.

The establishment of this plant pursues several objectives. First of all, a new modern industrial sector has emerged in Azerbaijan, which is one of the key directions of our economic policy. This plant is fitted with cutting-edge equipment, the technological processes here are even ahead of world standards. Of course, all this work will enable us to process salt in Azerbaijan for many years to come. On the other hand, the establishment of the plant will mean competitive production, which is also one of our priorities. We want all products made in Azerbaijan to be competitive, to meet domestic needs and strengthen Azerbaijan’s export potential.

The issue of creation of new jobs is also being resolved at the plant. This is also one of our priorities. Jobs are being created throughout Azerbaijan, our people are becoming employed. 

The launch of the plant will make Azerbaijan an exporter of salt and help us meet domestic needs. This will enable us to further step up local production, reduce reliance on imports and thus take Azerbaijan forward even more successfully. These factors show that all our economic initiatives are yielding wonderful results. At the same time, as mentioned here, this salt is very important for human health. Citizens of Azerbaijan will now consume iodized, i.e. refined salt.

The Azerbaijani state is doing a lot to protect public health – the steps to improve the healthcare system and environmental situation. Besides, all food produced in Azerbaijan must be of high quality. This work is organized very well, a major campaign against low-quality goods is under way. We are withdrawing low-quality imported products from the market and identifying and withdrawing low-quality products manufactured domestically. The entrepreneurs committing such drawbacks must be severely published because human health is top priority.

I would like to repeat that the establishment of the salt processing plant is a logical result of the economic reforms under way in Azerbaijan. It is also gratifying that both Azersun and the Azerbaijan state investment company have taken part in the establishment of the plant. We have set up the Azerbaijan state investment company with this aim, so that it could, together with local and foreign investors, attract resources to the sectors necessary for Azerbaijan’s industrial and economic development. The activity of the Azerbaijan state investment company is already yielding fruit. As a result of that – the joint activity of a state body and a private company – this wonderful enterprise has emerged. Azersun has been in operation in Azerbaijan for many years. The scope of its activities is very broad. I am very pleased that Azersun is contributing to local production in Azerbaijan. Its contribution to the development of agriculture, entrepreneurship and non-oil sector is enormous. I do hope that Azersun continues its operation in new sectors in the future. 

At the same time, the establishment of this plant will bolster the development of the non-oil sector. This is one of our top priorities. I am very pleased to say Azerbaijan’s non-oil economy grew by 15.3 per cent in six months of this year, which is a result of the work done to this end.

In other words, the opening of the plant is a very positive phenomenon. I am sure it will operate successfully and fully meet domestic demand. We must protect our market, and additional measures may be taken to ensure that. It is no longer necessary to import salt, especially since the salt made here meets the highest standards. Therefore, Azerbaijan will meet its domestic needs and increase its export potential.

Let me congratulate you on this wonderful event again and wish you success in your work. Thank you.