National model for economic development of Azerbaijan has no alternative

Sustainable development of Azerbaijan, timely and complete execution of all social programs over the last two years despite the global crisis, is a clear sign that the national model for economic development has no alternative, Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at a conference dedicated to outcomes of the second year of execution of the “State Program on social-economic development of regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2009-2013” being held at Baku Business Center.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev participated at the conference.

Mustafayev said the growth rate of GDP in 2010 amounted to 5%, non-oil sector - 7.9%, including non-oil industry grew by 6.6%, the growth rate of people’s income exceeded the inflation rate more than twice and production growth was ensured in all regions of the country.

"A great role in achieving these successes fell to a systematic work on the implementation of state programs, particularly the two government programs for socio-economic development of regions,” he added.

President Aliyev, under whose personal control the second program is realized, paid 27 visits to the regions, taking part in the opening of over 170 enterprises in the sectors of manufacturing, transportation, education, health, culture, sports, tourism, etc.

"The systematic visits, along with a large value for the acceleration of socio-economic development, ensure the definition and implementation of specific tasks in connection with the development of each area,” Mustafayev said. “After these visits, the President signed a decree on additional measures in connection with the acceleration of socio-economic development of a number of cities and regions."

Since 2004, $15.5 billion have been invested from all financial sources in developing of the regions. The figure was 3.4 billion in 2010. Mustafayev said hundreds of significant projects were realized through these funds.

In 2010, the implementation of projects to build transport corridor "North-South” and “East-West” were continued, over 635 kilometers of roads were constructed and repaired in line with international standards. The Baku Ring Road, the 22-kilometer stretch of the Alat-Astara-Iran road, Mingachevir-Haldan road, Bilasuvar Ring Road and bridge, Nakhchivan-Sadarak main road and other objects were commissioned with participation of President Aliyev.

"Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, international seaport and shipyards will increase the transit potential of the country, as well as its role and significance in the whole region,” Mustafayev said.


/Trend/