Foreign investors to expand activities in Azerbaijan, poll says

Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AzPromo) told APA that the poll carried out in Baku and regions was supported by the EU TACIS Program.

The principal aim was to examine how foreign investors assess the investment climate, expectations from the government and needs.

The great majority (77%) of the respondents said they plan to enlarge their activities in Azerbaijan in coming three year which will lead to creation of between 3,000 and 7, 000 jobs.

The survey showed the businesspeople are not interested in export, with only 14% said they export their products and services to Russia, Kazakhstan and Georgia etc.

25% said they prefer to create joint ventures in Azerbaijan.

Asked how the government should further improve the climate, investors replied copyright-related issues are the priority.

Investors complained of shortage of local skilled and professional employees. AzPromo Board of Trustees Chairman Chingiz Asadullayev said the poll was of great importance from the viewpoint of how comfortable the investors feel in Azerbaijan.