ALL ABOUT THE STOCK
Various policies enacted by the government have expanded and repositioned the agricultural sector, creating a framework for future growth.
In a message released at the close of 2015, President Aliyev offered some congratulatory words on the success of the progress of the country over the span of the year. He included in this message that the agricultural sector had grown by almost 7% compared to the previous year, responsible in part for the 8.4% growth of the non-oil sector contribution to the national GDP. As a powerful domestic industry, the agricultural sector comprises almost 40% of the domestic labor force.
Declaring 2015 as the Year of Agriculture was a great way for the government of Azerbaijan to focus its attention on this issue. In its history as part of the USSR, Azerbaijan had always possessed the capability of satisfying domestic agricultural demand. Due to the division of labor among the states during these times, Azerbaijan was never given the task to fully develop its agriculture. President Aliyev touched on the importance of food security and remarked that meeting 100% of domestic demand is a very reachable goal. In addition, he went on to state that agricultural produce, once the industry is expanded to the extent envisioned, will be one of the chief exports of the country alongside oil and gas. President Aliyev appropriately pointed out that while food security is certainly valuable, beyond that lies even more potential, namely the possibility that Azerbaijan could become a major agricultural exporting nation. This elucidates the implications of what a fully developed agricultural sector will bring to the country.
Over 2015, important infrastructure projects were put in place. The year 2015 saw 300 artesian wells drilled, providing many villages with a source of clean drinking water and with treatment plants. The impressive Shamkir Agropark has been continuing its development by signing MoUs with experienced international firms. In addition, the government started to draft a bill to create robust agricultural insurance policies, seeking the assistance of international partners more experienced in this field. The state currently deals with agricultural insurance, but on a marginalized scale. A developed insurance regime strengthens industry development and provides much needed support to local farmers. The current lack of insurance in this field stems from legislative inexperience, a lack of knowledge on behalf of farmers, and a domestic insurance market that lacks the necessary infrastructure.
In terms of the depth and performance of the reforms of 2015, Azerbaijan managed to achieve impressive agricultural growth. One successful reform improved the electronic agricultural system, increasing effectiveness and transparency in management. Also, tens of thousands of hectares of land were cultivated for the first time. The meat and animal husbandry efforts of the country were increased and livestock breeding farms were established to decrease dairy imports. The country also saw the highest total grain yield and the highest average yield per hectare in its history. Interestingly enough, these record-setting yields took place farming less acreage of grain than last year, meaning the true cause of these astronomical numbers was due to an increased level of production on existing land and not because they simply enlarged the area of land available. This is significant because it lies at the crux of the mission of 2015. The Year of Agriculture has worked to direct the correct amount of focus to these important areas and enact some concrete changes to agriculture in Azerbaijan.
With the rapid expansion of agricultural products made possible due to these initiatives, markets eager for Azerbaijani agricultural products are in no short supply. Russia is the largest market available and is eager for Azerbaijani exports, especially as they try to fill the holes created by their ban against Turkish agricultural products. Agricultural expansions in 2015 also included the constructing of a logistics terminal in Aktau, Kazakhstan, which will undoubtedly facilitate the exportation of food products to the Kazakh market. Another pillar of the strategy to help strengthen agriculture included directing FDI flows to this sector. The majority of FDI coming from the UK, the largest FDI contributor for Azerbaijan, was focused on agriculture as well.
ALL ABOUT THE STOCK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Year In Review
Good Times Ahead
<strong></strong><strong>In a year dominated by the overarching theme of low hydrocarbons prices, Azerbaijan showed resilience and verve in putting in place bold measures both to counter the slump in energy prices and put its economy on a surer footing.</strong>
read articleReview: Diplomacy
Operation Outreach
In 2015, Azerbaijan's military budget increased by a notable 27%, to $4.8 billion, or 17.9% of the government's total budget for the year. The first Azerbaijan Defence Exhibition (ADEX 2014), drew over 200 companies from 34 countries, including Russia and the US.
read articleInterview
Rufat Mammadov, President, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO)
TBY talks to Rufat Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), on large-scale events and their ability to attract FDI and the potential Iran may hold.
read articleReview: Banking
More Interest
In a sector faced with relatively flat growth for 2015-16, new opportunities are still there aplenty, led by the nascent Islamic banking sector, e-banking, and microfinance initiatives. Together, these areas should make banking more diversified and less reliant on a buoyant energy sector for its capital inlay.
read articleReview: Capital Markets
Taking Stock
As Azerbaijan grapples with the knock-on effects of low hydrocarbon prices, the Baku Stock Exchange (BSE) finds itself at the center of the country's efforts to stave off a budget deficit this year. In January, the government announced plans to sell $500 million worth of bonds on the BSE.
read articleReview: Industry & Mining
In The Bag
Industry in Azerbaijan is long established, diversified, and, in many areas, fast growing. Together, these qualities make the sector well placed to see through the global slump in commodity prices, while at home, the manufacturing industry continues to find ways to use its hydrocarbons expertise in other fields, including high technologies and research.
read articleInterview
Khanlar Fatiyev, , Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Ganja Automobile Plant Production Association
TBY talks to Khanlar Fatiyev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Ganja Automobile Plant Production Association, on the role of the plant in driving growth in the non-oil sector.
read articleReview: Transport
The New Node
With major new railways linking the region, the opening of the new Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex, the completion of a massive program of road building and upgrading, investment in state-of-the-art fleets ranging from Boeing 787s to rail locomotives, Azerbaijan can rightly claim the title as the Caucasus' transportation hub.
read articleReview: Agriculture
Lots More
Farms across the country are pursuing a policy of increased yields for year-round fruit and in the wheat harvest to stave off an over-reliance on imports. With carefully targeted increases in exports, better routes to port and to market, and greater sophistication of agricultural facilities, farming could soon be the morning star of Azerbaijan's diversified economy.
read articleReview: Health
Under One Umbrella
Life expectancy at birth (2015) is 75 years for women and 70 for men. The median age is 30. For both sexes, longevity increased by six years between 2000 and 2012. Azerbaijan is a relatively youthful country—an important factor in healthcare—with 22% of its populace aged under 15 and just 9% aged over 60.
read articleReview: Education
Baku to School
Azerbaijan's culture has always harbored a deep respect for educational values. This is embodied in the country's Azerbaijan 2020 mission statement, which seeks to raise standards across the sector and introduce ICT as a standard part of the learning experience at all levels.
read articleInterview
Elkhan Mammadov,, Secretary General, Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA)
TBY talks to Elkhan Mammadov, Secretary General of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), on the experience Azerbaijan is gaining in hosting international events.
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