The signing ceremony took place in Baku Tourism Information Center where Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfez Garayev and the UN DP Bruno Pouezat took part in, APA reports.

Minister Abulfez Garayev noted that the two-year project envisages assisting efficient operation of regional tourism centers opened in the framework of the 1st phase (Baku, Shamakhi, Khachmaz, Sheki) and to be opened in the 2nd phase (in Ganja, Nakhchivan, Lenkeran and Guba).

Mr. Garayev stressed that this project is the continuation of the joint efforts of the ministry and the UNDP in creating relation between reduction of poverty and sustainable development of tourism in Azerbaijan.

The project has been drawn up in accordance with the State Program on sustainable development of tourism and reduction of poverty and will serve the first target of UN Development Assistance Framework – "Efficient and transparent management of oil resources, increase of non-oil sector employment".

Bruno Pouezat noted the project financed by the UNDP in conjunction with Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Ministry will serve the development of the tourism in Azerbaijan. The resident coordinator expressed confidence on efficient development of tourism in the country and noted that they will continue to assist this sphere.