This report summarises the work carried out by the OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Programme (ECP) under the authority of the OECD Eastern Europe and South Caucasus Initiative Steering Committee, in consultation with the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and with participation of private sector and international organisations in Azerbaijan.
Representatives from several ministries, government agencies, private sector organisations, and other stakeholders should be acknowledged for their active participation in working group meetings and their availability to meet with the OECD team and share valuable insights for the development of this note.
In particular, the OECD would like to extend its gratitude to the representatives of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Mr Mikayil Jabbarov (Minister of Economy), Mr Rovshan Najaf (Deputy Minister of Economy), Ms Inara Mustafayeva (Head of Department for International Co-operation) and Ms Farida Mammadova (Department for International Co-operation). The OECD is also very grateful to representatives of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA): Mr Mehman Abbas (Former Deputy Chairman), Mr Elmar Isayev (Head of Secretariat) and Mr Amir Shirinbayli (Head of International Cooperation Department).
The OECD is also very grateful to representatives of the project advisory group, who provided useful inputs to the working group discussions that contributed to this report: Mr Tamerlan Taghiyev (Director of the Centre for Analysis and Coordination of the 4IR, Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan), Ms Leyla Mammadova (Deputy Chair of the Agency for Agro Credit and Development, Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan), Mr Eldar Jahangirov (Team Leader, Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan), Mr Farid Osmanov (Executive Director, Central Bank of Azerbaijan), Mr Mehdi Javadov (Deputy Director, ASAN), Mr Nuru Suleymanov (Director of the Department of National Accounts and Macroeconomic Statistics, Azerbaijan State Statistical Committee), and Mr Vugar Zeynalov (Vice President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organisations of Azerbaijan).
The European Union co‑financed this project as part of the EU4Business initiative and its staff provided important guidance and support: Mr Mathieu Bousquet (Deputy Director, DG NEAR), Ms Diana Jablonska (Head of Unit, DG NEAR), Mr Lucian Jega (Programme Assistant, DG NEAR) and the representatives of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan: Mr Peter Michalko (Ambassador) Mr Kestutis Jankauskas (former Ambassador), Ms Simona Gatti (former Head of Operations Section), and Ms Ulvyia Abdullayeva (Programme Manager).
This report was written under the guidance of Mr Andreas Schaal (Director, OECD Global Relations) and Mr William Tompson (Head, OECD Eurasia Division).
The principal authors of this report are Mr Patrik Pruzinsky and Ms Maria Zelenova (Policy Analysts, OECD Global Relations Secretariat). The project was managed by Mr Daniel Quadbeck and this report was reviewed by Mr Jorge Gálvez Mendéz (OECD Global Relations Secretariat).
Very valuable administrative support was provided by Ms Mariana Tanova (OECD Global Relations Secretariat).