Baku hosts 2nd Turkic States Agribusiness Forum

The 2nd “Turkic States Agribusiness Forum” was realized in Baku. Initially, the memory of the heroes of the Motherland who gave their lives for the independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with a minute of silence.

The event was organized within the framework of the 2nd meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Organization of Turkic States. The forum was attended by members of the governments of member states and observer countries, representatives of government agencies and companies specializing in the agri sector.

Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov informed the participants about the reforms carried out in the agrarian sector in Azerbaijan and future goals while opening the meeting. The Minister mnetioned that further increase of agricultural productivity, creation of climate-friendly, green and digital agriculture, as well as diversification of export products and geography are the main principles for sustainable development of the agri sector.

Minister Majnun Mammadov stressed that agriculture is one of the main sources of this economic power noting that the Turkic states have great economic power on a global scale: “Natural resources, biodiversity, geographical location and climate we have further strengthen our agri potential. The Agro-Business Forum of Turkic states, where businessmen and officials of the Turkic world meet today, is aimed at further strengthening of agrarian trade relations between our countries. Our expectation from businessmen is  contribution on further increase the economic strength of the Turkish Union and food security by establishing cooperation on these principles”.

Minister Majnun Mammadov brought to the attention that the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev declared our liberated territories a “green energy zone” and these territories have great agrarian potential. He noted that the main goal at present is to build a sustainable agricultural system based on digital and state-of-art practices and technologies, free from diseases by clearing land suitable for agriculture from mines in the liberated territories.

Minister Majnun Mammadov called on businessmen of the OTS countries to familiarize themselves with investment opportunities in the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic zones and apply best practices and technologies here. The Minister also invited businessmen to consider the possibility of creating joint ventures in the newly created Alat Economic Zone, which will become the brand of OTS, which meets international export standards and is equipped with modern technologies, offering special investment benefits.

Secretary General of OTS Kubanichbek Omraliyev who was making a speech at the event informed about the current situation in the agricultural field and agrarian potential of the member countries of the organization. The Secretary General noted that the effective use of transport infrastructure and agrarian potential of member countries will make a significant contribution to economic development and food security.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye Ibrahim Yumakli called OTS as an important platform for expanding cooperation between member countries in the fields of agriculture, food, infrastructure, transport. The Minister of Turkiye expressed his confidence that in the light of modern challenges, it is important to develop road maps and expand cooperation to resolve existing difficulties, and that the strategic partnership between OTS members will become important investments.

The Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Aziz Voitov stressed that the scientific-technological and economic potential of the member countries allows the delivery of products to global markets by expanding the geography of exports.

Then, a video about Azerbaijan's agriculture was demonstrated.

First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan Murat Ramatov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Abilkhayir Tamabek, Minister of Agriculture and natural resources of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Huseyn Cavus, head of Agrarian and Environmental Department of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan Latif Gasimov, chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Policy of the Milli Majlis Tahir Rzayev who was speaking at the event emphasized that it will serve to promote new investment opportunities and strengthen relations between businessmen.

Then, bilateral meetings were held between representatives of companies specializing in the agrarian sector of the member countries of the Turkic states organization within the framework of the 2nd Turkic States Agribusiness Forum.

It should be stressed that the first meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Organization of Turkic states, established on the initiative of the Azerbaijani side and supported by other friendly and brotherly member states, was held in Uzbekistan.