Second int'l automobile exhibition started in Baku

Attending the opening ceremony were Farhad Aliyev, the Minister for Economic  Development, Mehman Ahmadov, the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce  and Industry, Abdul Mammadov, the senior advisor to the Department of Foreign  Relations of the Baku City Executive Power, Natik Zarbaliyev, the President  of Association of Automobile Dealers, Ahmad Ibrahim al-Sharkavi, the Egyptian  Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and Afshar Suleymani, the Iranian Ambassador to  Azerbaijan, Farid Karimov, the Director of Iteca Caspian Ltd.

In his opening remarks the Minister for Economic Development noted that despite the previous years when the key importance was attached to the development of the macro-economic development, at present the upgrade of living conditions and trade, as well as import0and export operations are in focus in Azerbaijan.

According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan holds trade relationships with more than 120 countries. The annual goods turnover in Azerbaijan comprises over $5bn. In 2004 Azerbaijan imported 50,000 automobiles and their number grows year by year. "I hope the show will help to establish new trade relationships,"  Aliyev noted.

Ahmadov in his turn noted that over the past 10 years the growth pace of economy in Azerbaijan made up 10%, while this year it is forecasted at 15%.  The share of the private sector in the GDP is equal to 74%. He announced on the plans to organize 13 exhibitions on non-oil sector in the country in 2005.

51 companies (including 16 Azerbaijani companies) representing 15 countries,  in particular Germany, Japan, Russia, Turkey, the United States, Brazil,  Italy, Czech Republic, United Arab Emirates are mainly specialized in  manufacturing and technical services to vehicles and lorries, buses, as well  as launching accessories and audio system. The show for the first time will display accumulator batteries and charging devices, radiators, heaters, conditioners, tuning and reserved cars.

Organized by Iteca Caspian company with support from by the Baku City Executive Power, the Association of Automobile Dealers, the Fund for Enhancing Investments and Consultations, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry the exhibition is larger twice than the previous one. The exposition was set up not only in the central venue of the complex, but also in the out of the premises.