Prospects for expanding Azerbaijan-Germany cooperation discussed in the agricultural sector in Berlin

During the visit, Inam Karimov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan met with Alois Gerig, chairman of the Food and Agriculture Committee of the German Bundestag. The meeting focused on the development of the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan and said the agricultural sector was a priority field for the development of the non-oil sector.

The chairman of the Bundestag Committee was informed about the reforms carried out by Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in this direction, the main directions of agricultural development, innovations and state support of the agricultural sector. The Minister stressed that the state support for agriculture is expanding every year, creating favorable investment climate for the development of the agricultural sector. The meeting emphasized the importance of exchanging experience between Azerbaijan and Germany's specialized universities and research institutions in the agricultural sector.

Alois Gerig noted that he appreciates the electronicization of agricultural services in Azerbaijan. He said his country was ready to transfer technology to improve this process and that cooperation in the field of agricultural education was important. He said Azerbaijani youth can benefit from training programs organized in Germany.

During the meeting, the participants were informed about the participation of Azerbaijan in the educational exchange programs with various European countries, and emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for Azerbaijani farmers to visit modern agriculture technologies in Germany. The sides also discussed the holding of the Azerbaijan-Germany Agricultural Forum.

Minister Inam Karimov also met with Michael Harms, Executive Director of the Eastern Committee of German Economy. The sides exchanged views on the current state and potential of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany in the field of agriculture. The Minister noted the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany in various fields and underlined the great potential for expanding mutual relations in agriculture. It was noted that the agricultural reforms implemented in Azerbaijan, the taxation of agricultural activities, the liberalization of the agricultural machinery and pedigree animal market provide wide investment opportunities for foreign companies, including German agrarian companies.

It was noted that Azerbaijan's agricultural products have a great export potential, and today one of the main priorities in the agricultural sector development strategy is modernization of the agro-processing industry and the establishment of new processing facilities. The sides discussed the possibility of establishing joint ventures with German companies in the field of agriculture, and conducting mutual visits to assess the possibilities of cooperation.

Michael Harms said Azerbaijan was familiar with the quality of agricultural products and liked our products. Noting the interest of German companies in investing in the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan, Michael Harms said that the planned Azerbaijani-German Agricultural Forum will further strengthen existing ties and partnership between the two countries. Michael Harms, who appreciated the proposal to organize mutual visits and exchange of experiences of representatives of the agrarian sector, expressed his full support for the work in this direction.

During the visit, Minister Inam Karimov also met with Thomas Glauben, director of the Leibnitz Institute for Agricultural Development of Germany's Economic Transition Countries. The meeting touched on the role of agricultural research in the development of agriculture. It was noted that agricultural research is important to respond to new challenges in the face of climate change. The Minister informed the counterpart about the activities of the Agricultural Economics Research Center and said that the center is currently conducting the analysis of agricultural trends, collecting, analyzing agricultural products. It was noted that one of the main directions of activity of the center is development of models for studying and applying international experience in Azerbaijan. To this end, ARC staff participate in international exchange programs and share the results of their research with foreign partners.

Thomas Glauben said that the Leibnitz Institute has been researching agricultural policy indicators in the Caucasus and Central Asia, increasing exports in agriculture, and establishing value chains and is interested in collaborating with the Agricultural Economics Research Center. During the discussions, it was agreed to establish partnerships between the Leibnitz Institute and the Agricultural Economics Research Center.

Inam Karimov met with Anatoli Khotko, Minister of Food and Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus in Berlin. It was noted that in recent years Azerbaijan-Belarus cooperation in the field of agriculture has been developing rapidly. It was noted that the work on the directions defined in the cooperation agreement between the ministries of the two countries was signed last year. It was noted that both Azerbaijan and Belarus strengthened joint efforts to determine mutual access to new markets and increase export potential of agricultural products and processed it. Opportunities for mutual investment promotion in the agricultural sector and implementation of joint projects in priority fields that require investment in agriculture are currently being investigated.

Inam Karimov and Anatoli Khotko said that although the Azerbaijani-Belarusian cooperation in the agricultural sector is being developed multilaterally, there is great potential for further development of relations.

During the meeting, it was agreed to further expand cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus in the production of agricultural machinery, animal husbandry, crop production, agro-industrial complexes. The parties also agreed to jointly organize consultations and training programs, seminars and conferences. It was noted that the expansion of agricultural cooperation between the two countries is of mutual interest (AZERTAC).