President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a modern greenhouse complex in Sabirabad.

The President was informed that the production capacity of the complex, built in the Kurkandi village of Sabirabad District, is 1.3 million tons per year. Investment in the amount of 2.6 million manats was made in the construction of the greenhouse complex covering an area of 3.2 hectares. Along with the resources of entrepreneurs, funds for the realization of this project were provided by the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economic Development in the form of a soft loan. The greenhouse complex has been built on the basis of Dutch, Italian and Turkish technology and equipped with a fully automated climate monitoring system, heat-shielding walls, as well as ventilation and irrigation systems. The use of modern technology saves energy costs in the manufacturing process, which reduces the cost of production of farmed vegetables and helps deliver competitive products to the market. Initially, the complex has started growing tomatoes. The construction of a greenhouse covering an area of 4 hectares and a processing section is planned in the near future.

It was noted that seedlings were pollinated by working bees, which results in a high yield. Only organic fertilizer and pharmaceuticals are used in the process. In order to deliver products to consumers without losses and in a short time, special vehicles have been purchased. Along with the delivery of products to the domestic market, there are plans to export them to foreign countries. The packaging of products allows the complex to deliver vegetables to consumers without compromising their quality. As a result of the projects, a total of 55 people have been provided with jobs.

Then the President of Azerbaijan reviewed the stands reflecting the development plan of the complex and the greenhouses the construction of which was financed by the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support.

The Executive Director of the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economic Development, Shirzad Abdullayev, informed the President about the production of vegetables and the greenhouses.

It was noted that 1.2 million tons of vegetables were produced last year, including 472,000 tons of tomatoes and more than 210,000 tons of cucumbers. The level of self-sufficiency on vegetables is 100 per cent. Last year, the exports of vegetables increased compared to 2003 by 4.7 times and reached 55,000 tons, including 36,000 tons of early tomatoes and 13,000 tons of cucumbers. At the same time, 148 greenhouses covering an area of 88 hectares were granted preferential loans in the amount of 52.3 million manats, including 47.7 million manats provided to 27 modern greenhouses covering an area of 69 hectares. The establishment of modern greenhouses through preferential loans of the state will be continued in the future.

It was noted that the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support has provided 261 entrepreneurs in Sabirabad District with preferential loans to the tune of 8.7 million manats. These loans are expected to create 1,228 jobs.

The head of state reviewed finished products.

President Ilham Aliyev spoke to employees of the complex.

In conclusion, a photo was taken as a souvenir.