III Agribusiness Development Forum held in Guba

The third Agribusiness Development Forum is being held in Guba jointly organized by Agrarian Credit and Development Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event was attended by the Heads of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organizations of Azerbaijan, the subordinate bodies of the ministries, the Central Bank, banks operating in the country, as well as representatives of local and international organizations.

Before the event, the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played, and the memory of our heroic martyrs who died for the Motherland was commemorated with a minute of silence.

Opening the forum, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov informed about the state support provided to the agricultural sector, which plays an important role in the economy and employment of the population, and the measures taken to develop this area. The Minister noted that the development of the agrarian sector was declared one of the priorities by the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. The Minister said that concessions and assistance to producers of agricultural products create a significant basis for the development of this area.

Noting that Azerbaijan will host the United Nations Conference of parties on the 29th Framework Convention on climate change this year, Minister Majnun Mammadov noted that COP 29 will play an important role in adapting agrarian and environmental policies in Azerbaijan to advanced international practices, technological exchange and innovation, and providing financial support for broader economic development. The use of innovative approaches and tools in this direction, along with the protection of the environment, will contribute to the sustainability of Agriculture, the provision of environmentally friendly food, as well as to the growth of well-being in rural areas: "The economic and environmental processes occurring in the world, including climate change, contribute to the transition from the “traditional agricultural production model"". In this direction, public-private-partnership, known as positive experience on an international scale, is of great importance. The mechanisms of state support for the agrarian sector make investment in this area attractive, and I hope that you, businessmen, will consider these opportunities.”

Speaking at the event, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organizations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev informed about the current situation and agrarian potential of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic states in the field of agriculture. He stressed that agriculture is one of the main sectors of the economy in the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States. Mammad Musayev added that the effective use of the agrarian potential of the member countries will make a significant contribution to the overall economic development and food security.

Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Policy of the Milli Majlis Tahir Rzayev noted that as a result of systematic measures, our country is developing dynamically. Noting that agriculture has a special place in the country's economy, the chairman of the committee stressed that the intensive development of the agrarian sector is directly dependent on the application of modern technologies, and a new stage in the development of the agrarian sector has begun with comprehensive support measures by the state in this direction.

Head of Guba District Executive Authority Ilgar Mahmudov noted that, as in all regions of the country, important attention is paid to the development of Agriculture in Guba, and the measures implemented, including such measures, will contribute to the agrarian sector.

Chairman of the Board of the small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) Orkhan Mammadov shared his views on the development of Agriculture in our country and entrepreneurial activity in this area. The chairman of the SME said that in accordance with modern challenges, the creation of an innovative agribusiness environment and its development are of exceptional importance. According to him, as a result of the measures carried out, serious successes were achieved in the agrarian sphere, as well as in all areas.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aliyar Mammadyarov touched upon the existing potential and investment prospects of the agribusiness sector, as well as public-private sector cooperation and other issues related to the development of this area. The central Bank official noted that the expansion of access to financial resources of agribusiness entities is one of the priorities and sustainable measures are taken to credit the agricultural sector.

Deputy regional representative of FAO Nabil Gangi spoke about global factors affecting agriculture, water and food security, ways to ensure sustainable agricultural development.

Deputy Secretary General of the organization of Turkic states Omar Kocaman shared his views on the possibilities of expanding relations between the business circles of the OTS countries, support and services provided to local and foreign businessmen, and outlined plans for expanding cooperation in the agrarian sector.

Then, Director of the Center for Agrarian Research under the Ministry of Agriculture Firdovsi Fikratzade spoke about the “current situation on financing of Agriculture in Azerbaijan”, senior agrofinance specialist of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Frank R. Hollinger made presentations on "Financing needs of the agrarian sector, demand and supply-based assessment".

The Forum continues its work with panel sessions.