The Oklahoma-Azerbaijan Agricultural Forum

The Oklahoma-Azerbaijan Agricultural Forum was held on November 6-8. The forum was attended by a large delegation of agricultural companies and agribusiness organizations, led by Inam Karimov, the US Agency for International Development and leading agricultural companies, international financial institutions and relevant academic circles of US.

The objective of the forum is to establish cooperation between agricultural businessmen and farmers of Azerbaijan, a large agricultural state of the US, to study new methods of farming, livestock development, managing medium and large farms, as well as productivity and modern cultivation of cereals and legumes. During the forum, Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov met with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. In the meeting also discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of agriculture. The Minister emphasized that there is great potential for expanding bilateral relations in agriculture. He noted that the ongoing agricultural reforms in Azerbaijan, taxation of agricultural activities, liberalization of the agricultural machinery and pedigree livestock market provide ample investment opportunities for foreign companies, including specialized agricultural companies in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, in turn, noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Oklahoma have entered a new phase. The governor expressed hope for successful cooperation between agricultural companies and academic institutions between the two countries. Natig Bakhishov, Executive Director of the US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, thanked the partners of the forum for their support in organizing the event. The forum was chaired by the Board of Directors of the American-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, Reza Vaziri, Deputy Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Europe and Eurasia Alex Sokolovski, Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the US Elin Suleymanov, Governor of Oklahoma Kevin Stitt, Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard, Lieutenant General Michael Thompson and Oklahoma Congressman Marcuin Mullin spoke at the event. Presentations highlighted the opportunities available in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan, especially in the agricultural sector. Speakers noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University (ASAU) and Oklahoma State University will play a special role in the development of bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector. It was noted that the Oklahoma-Azerbaijan Agricultural Forum is a good platform for exploring opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector. Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov spoke about the reforms in the country aimed at diversifying the economy, noting that agriculture plays an important role in the development of the non-oil sector, noting that the agricultural sector is a priority in our country. Speaking about state support for the development of agriculture, the Minister said that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev paid special attention to all areas of the agricultural sector. The forum was dedicated to the State Flag Day of Azerbaijan. Firstly, the flags of Azerbaijan and the United States were solemnly decorated with the guard of honor of the National Guard of Oklahoma, and the national anthems of the USA and Azerbaijan were sounded. Then Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt presented a special declaration in which November 9 is celebrated as National Flag Day of Azerbaijan in Oklahoma, presented to Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov and our ambassador to the United States, Elin Suleymanov. The Oklahoma-Azerbaijan Agricultural Forum discusses the prospects for mutual trade and investment between the US and Azerbaijan in the field of agriculture.

The four sessions of the Forum included: agricultural education and skills development, the importance of vocational training in this area, tax reforms, tax benefits applied by the government of Azerbaijan, as well as the use of innovative technologies and methods in agribusiness, sustainable agriculture. Widely discussed new methods of irrigation and artificial insemination and existing technologies in this area. Representatives of the company from Oklahoma presented their best practices and technologies and expressed their intention to continue cooperation with Azerbaijan. Then an official admission was organized for the participants of the event. The participants of the event expressed confidence that the Oklahoma-Azerbaijan Agricultural Forum will further strengthen the existing ties and cooperation between Azerbaijan and this state. A memorandum of brotherhood and mutual cooperation was signed between Gadabay and Stilluater (Stillwater), Oklahoma. The document was signed by Ibrahim Mustafayev, the head of the executive branch of the Gadabay region, and Emi Dzialovski, a member of the Stilluater City Council from the US. The next meeting of the Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, Inam Karimov, took place with the Secretary of Agriculture of Oklahoma, Ms. Blaine Arthur. The meeting was also attended by Oklahoma National Guard Commander Major General Michael Thompson, Brigadier General Brent Rayt, and Jay Sinkheen, Head of the US Mission to the United States Agency for International Development. The Minister said that cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States in various fields is developing, noting the great potential for expanding relations in agriculture. He noted that the ongoing agricultural reforms in Azerbaijan, taxation of agricultural activities, liberalization of the agricultural machinery and pedigree livestock market provide ample investment opportunities for foreign companies, including specialized agricultural companies in Oklahoma. Expressing satisfaction at the reception of the Azerbaijani delegation, Ms. Blaine Arthur said that agriculture in the state is mainly in the livestock sector. The Minister of Agriculture said that Oklahoma was the country’s first wheat producer and second beef producer, adding that the companies of Azerbaijan and Oklahoma have great opportunities to discuss opportunities for cooperation in livestock and crop production. At the admission on this day in honor of the Azerbaijani delegation, Oklahoma Mayor David Holt and Oklahoma National Guard Major General Michael Thompson spoke about state cooperation with various countries. Speakers noted that the state of Oklahoma and the Republic of Azerbaijan have been cooperating with the US State Partnership Program since 2003 and created a good basis for the development of agricultural ties. The Azerbaijani delegation also visited agricultural enterprises in Oklahoma. At the end of the day, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce hosted admission in honor of the Azerbaijani delegation. The admission was attended by the Oklahoma government, the National Guard Command, US Congressman Kevin Hern and other officials. Speaking at the event, Inam Karimov thanked the Oklahoma leadership for their hospitality. The Minister noted that the OklahomaAzerbaijan Agricultural Forum will further strengthen existing ties and strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the state (AZERTAC). The first agricultural forum in Oklahoma-Azerbaijan is the US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, the US Embassy in Azerbaijan, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United States and the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan were organized by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (USACC) and the mission of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Azerbaijan.

Noted that this is the second forum in 2019, which brings together agricultural producers in the United States and Azerbaijan. In April, 33 companies from Illinois and 14 Azerbaijani companies took part in the Chicago Forum.