PETROL POWERHOUSE
Azpetrol has grown into the market leader in Azerbaijan for the retail and wholesale of petrol, diesel, and gas.
Azpetrol entered into the economic sphere of Azerbaijan with the opening of its first filling station on July 15, 1997 in Baku. This marked its foray into the retail and wholesale fuel market of Azerbaijan. Fast forwarding to present day Azerbaijan, and Azpetrol has expanded its activities immensely and now offers retail and wholesale petrol, diesel fuel, and gas to individuals and legal entities in all regions of the Republic. Azpetrol currently has 86 filling stations in total, 81 of which deal with the sale of petrol and diesel fuel, while the remaining five sell liquid gas. As a result, Azpetrol has managed to retain the leading position among other similar companies in the Republic, offering the latest and most advanced equipment and technology to consumers in this field.
Azpetrol, having long been a company open to new and progressive technologies, recently installed an Automated Control and Management system in its filling stations, optimizing the management process by allowing Azpetrol to acquire precise information faster and provide a more qualitative service to its clients. In the interest of further efficiency, Azpetrol started using satellite navigation systems to track the movement of company-owned vehicles and even the volume of product in the tanks of fuel-carrying trucks. Since the company's inception, Azpetrol has grown to own a fleet of 110 tanker trucks equipped with the most modern technology in the industry.
In addition to being a petrol station powerhouse, Azpetrol has also made its mark in the hospitality industry. For example, in preparation for the 2015 European Games, Azpetrol opened a motel and a filling station in Mingachevir, which was a site of boat racing for the Games. Azpetrol is actively participating in the implementation of the State Program for the Social and Economic Development of the Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, designed for 2013-2018. In this socio-economic project, the company actively seeks to establish new filling stations and to operate motels in the various regions of Azerbaijan. Azpetrol intends to establish motels in the cities of Ganja and Beylagan in the future as well, adding to the growing number of motels already owned by Azpetrol.
As Azpetrol has progressed into one of the largest companies in Azerbaijan, it felt that it should give back to society at large. Thus, Azpetrol has closely participated in the implementation of several projects designed for the development of national Azerbaijani culture. The company has given financial support to the first publication of Khamsa, the treasure of Azerbaijani literature in Latin graphics, as well as printing other works by N. Gandjavi, M. Fizuli, Khagani, and more. In the field of sport, Azpetrol cooperates with the federations of gymnastics, boxing, and chess, and acts as their competition sponsors. The company also has an established priority to provide for the employment of people in the regions of Azerbaijan. Due to its success, Azpetrol has grown into one of the largest employers in the country, providing jobs for more than 3,200 employees.
Always forward thinking, Azpetrol will continue the expansion of its network of fuel stations in Baku and the regions in 2016 and beyond. In December 2015, new filling stations were opened in Ganja, Samukh, and Beylagan. Since the moment of its establishment, Azpetrol set a principal goal to guarantee high quality, honesty, and customer satisfaction. The main requirement put on Azpetrol employees is strict adherence to the ideals of mutual trust, the constant desire to improve the professional experience, and develop new skills to ensure customer satisfaction. While it is not the only player in this industry, it makes every effort to be the best.

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.
read article