BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 25. Azerbaijan's
high investment rating gives it the capacity to finance projects of
regional importance, Vice President of the Black Sea Trade and
Development Bank (BSTDB) Ziya Aliyev said on Friday at the 2nd
Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku, Trend's correspondent reports
from the event.
He said the Middle Corridor represents a major strategic
investment environment.
"According to preliminary estimates, the overall investment gap
in this sector is approximately $30–35 billion. Of course, the
governments or financial market institutions of the region alone do
not have the capacity to close this investment gap. Therefore, the
role of international financial institutions and multilateral
development banks is important, and their involvement in this
process is essential.
Their resources are considered a key source of investment.
Azerbaijan has strong financial resilience. Large international
currency reserves and a high investment rating give Azerbaijan this
capacity. When necessary, Azerbaijan provides a sovereign
guarantee, which makes projects attractive to international
financial institutions. When necessary, the government provides
sovereign guarantees, making major investment projects attractive
to banks, while international financial institutions also join the
process," Aliyev said.
Aliyev added that the BSTDB's current portfolio in Azerbaijan
includes 15 projects with a total value of $500 million.
"We are in intensive contact and cooperation with government
agencies and state-owned enterprises, and we are exploring our
potential participation in these projects. We have already approved
a number of projects in the energy, transport, manufacturing and
mining sectors. I think that in the future we will be able to
create a greater economic impact in Azerbaijan and become part of
its economic growth, development and progress," he stressed.
The second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum is
currently being held in Baku. The two-day forum is organized by
Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy and the Azerbaijan Export and
Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), under the ministry, in
strategic partnership with The European House – Ambrosetti.
The forum's plenary and panel sessions address strategic topics
including the Middle Corridor, energy and the green transition,
artificial intelligence and digital transformation, infrastructure,
industry and free economic zones, critical raw materials,
agribusiness, financial cooperation, small and medium-sized
business development, tourism, and investment in real estate and
human capital.
