I am honoured to serve as Chairman of Alat Free Economic Zone Authority (AFEZ Authority) following the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 22, 2020.
And now it is time to share with you our vision for Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ), the strategic intent in developing AFEZ, the type of investors it will attract and why they will choose to locate there and the economic benefits that will flow from this for our investors, our country and our people.
Azerbaijan's economy has been on a steady upward trajectory since 2005. It has positioned itself as a strategic transportation hub between Europe and Asia. The economy grew 15.7 times between 2004 and 2022. During the same period strategic foreign exchange reserves grew 31.8 times.
Twice Azerbaijan was recognized as a top business-reformer country in the Doing Business 2009 and 2019 reports. Recently a Collaboration Agreement was signed between the World Economic Forum and the Government of Azerbaijan which provides a framework for cooperation in matters of common interest. According to the World Economic Forum’s "Global Competitiveness Report 2019", in relation to the electricity supply subcomponent, Azerbaijan ranks 2nd in the world with a maximum score of 100 percent.
The existence of modern infrastructure in Azerbaijan creates ample opportunities for the promotion of economic activity. According to the Doing Business 2019 reports, the country ranks 9th out of 190 countries on the Starting a Business sub-indicator. In the “Global Competitiveness Report 2019”, Azerbaijan ranks 31st on the transport infrastructure sub-index and 27th on the quality of road infrastructure sub-index.
We have attracted more than $US146 billion in foreign direct investment since 1995, which has contributed to the development of all sectors of the economy in order to further improve the competitiveness of Azerbaijan.
The social-economic and political stability in the country creates a friendly environment for further sustainable economic growth.
Our President’s vision has set Azerbaijan firmly on the road towards a knowledge-based and internationally competitive economy, where Azerbaijan will:
AFEZ Authority is a central player in transforming this vision into reality.
AFEZ is being established in the vicinity of the Baku International Sea Trade Port. This strategic geographic location will serve as a regional investment hub and boost competitiveness in the East-West and North-South international transport corridors. It will intensify local and foreign investment in the country's non-oil sector.
It is time to turn the concept of AFEZ into reality. To do this AFEZ Authority will focus on and meet the needs of investors by delivering a world class place to do business:
Most important of all is our investor-centric mind set and approach.
We will be selective and careful in our application of this approach to investors. At the same time, we will select and meet investor needs in a way, which adds value for the economy and the people of Azerbaijan. This means that AFEZ will serve the needs of national and foreign investors who will:
To ensure this vision is brought to reality, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
has given full backing to the development of the AFEZ as a world class investment location
and key facilitator of future developments. The task of planning, developing and
managing the AFEZ has been entrusted to the AFEZ Authority which has been established
for this purpose
The legal framework for the development, operation, and governance of AFEZ based on the LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN on the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ Law) adopted by the Parliament and signed by the President of Azerbaijan as a prevailing law of the Republic of Azerbaijan and internal regulations of AFEZ issued by the AFEZ Authority, and these internal regulations are integral part of AFEZ legislation. The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Alat Free Economic Zone declares that AFEZ legislation, which consists of AFEZ law and internal regulations, taking precedence over base economy legislation.
The AFEZ legislation has been prepared from the perspective of potential investors and best international practice.
To clearly demonstrate precedence of AFEZ legislation over base economy legislation and exclude possibility of any conflicts, misunderstandings, contradictions in the interpretation of the provisions of AFEZ legislation and base economy legislation, relevant amendments were made and adopted by our Parliament in constitutional law on normative-legal acts, in tax, customs, licensing, labor, dispute resolution and other (more than 80) laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan and these amendments clearly acknowledge that AFEZ legislation takes precedence over those laws of base economy.
In addition to that, AFEZ Law clearly declares that base economy authorities:
In short, the legislation of Base Economy of Azerbaijan is not valid in the AFEZ and for subjects of the AFEZ (of course, except criminal law and anti-money laundering law).
As I said before, internal regulations, developed and approved by the AFEZ Authority are integral part of AFEZ legislation; and main purpose of these internal regulations is to create best possible business environment for our investors.
As the regulator of AFEZ, I am ensuring that we have a set of fit for purpose regulations, which will guide day-to-day activity in AFEZ in compliance with both policy goals and the AFEZ Legislation.
As I have already stated, the AFEZ Authority will be selective and careful in its approach to investors and will attract businesses engaged in high value-added and export-oriented manufacturing and internationally traded services, using innovative technologies and approaches to work in accordance with best international standards.
The masterplan for the AFEZ has also been designed to allow easy movement of people and goods to and from the AFEZ. The main entrance and exit points will use smart technology to allow efficient customs control of people and goods.
The business-friendly environment and access to large international markets available from AFEZ’s multi-modal location creates real value for investors. In addition, and in line with international benchmark locations, the AFEZ Authority will offer a package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to businesses established in AFEZ:
Tax exemption
One of the key benefits is the absence of any tax on a business in AFEZ. A qualified business in AFEZ is not required to pay a value-added tax, withholding tax or any other corporate tax. Employees will be exempted from personal income tax if the monthly salary does not exceed 8000 manats – approximately 4700$. Social security payments for foreign skilled personnel are optional and for local personnel are obligatory. Import of any products or services by AFEZ legal entities from a foreign country to the AFEZ and export of any products and services by AFEZ legal entities from the AFEZ to a foreign country are exempt from customs duties and taxes, including value-added taxes.
No restriction on foreign ownership
There is no restriction on foreign ownership of AFEZ legal entities. A foreign parent company can own 100% of the shares in an AFEZ legal entity. A foreign company can successfully carry on business without a requirement for a local partner.
Additional benefits
Continuing investor support
These incentives will also be available to support the subsequent expansion and growth of our clients' businesses into the future. The success of AFEZ will arise from attraction of new investors, but also from a consistent programme of engagement and aftercare with companies after they locate at AFEZ. Remember what I said earlier: we are investor-centric in our approach. That is a core principle for the AFEZ Authority from the most junior to the most senior staff member and all in between. In our eyes, a client of AFEZ is a client for life.
Access to skilled labour
Azerbaijan’s energy, light and heavy manufacturing industries have helped to create an
army of individuals with good crafting and essential work skills. Further, Azerbaijan’s
educational system and, generally, its business environment has encouraged attaining
the level of education required for any work condition. This labour force, committed to
investor’s business needs, is part of our incentive package.
In summary, the combination of AFEZ fiscal incentives, trade facilitation measures,
industrial skills development opportunities and a business-friendly operating environment will provide companies
from around the world with a cost competitive and strategic location for serving regional
and international markets.
AFEZ also provides opportunity for the people of Azerbaijan. Indeed, anything
that is done in AFEZ is really done for the benefit of the entire country of Azerbaijan
and its population.
Firstly, AFEZ is intended to create jobs for thousands of citizens of Azerbaijan. The
number of new jobs is expected to multiply every year. But not just any jobs – the jobs that
pay well and allow them to work in and improve a business environment that encourages
innovation and new management styles.
We have plans for industrial training facilities on-site at AFEZ. These facilities will train
local personnel and prepare them for new challenges. In the meantime, we will be working
with vocational and higher education training institutions in the rest of Azerbaijan to
ensure that they are producing the skilled workforce needed by AFEZ investors. This will
enable us to create and provide potential and existing clients with an active database of
current and available skills.
This approach will ensure that citizens of Azerbaijan, who are active in AFEZ gain training
and experience on what is required for success in globally trading and internationally
competitive businesses.
Both on-the-job and off-job training is intended to produce important positive
spill-over effects. The knowledge and skills gained by local personnel will help them to
create new internationally competitive businesses not just in AFEZ, but more importantly
in the base economy. In this environment the sharing of knowledge and experience is
inevitable.
This is how, as I mentioned earlier, we will achieve the strategic goal of introducing
changes in business culture, technology and innovation and create real value for the
economy and the people of Azerbaijan. It also provides a foundation for generating internationally
competitive “Made in Azerbaijan” products.
In addition to business-friendly services and incentives, AFEZ will provide investors
and employees with a modern and fit for purpose-built environment and property
solutions.
AFEZ will initially occupy a total site area of approximately 850 ha, spread over three zones. Zone 1 (206 ha), Zone 2 (433 ha) and Zone 3 (211 ha) are in the vicinity of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, adjacent to internationally connected railway, and highway lines.
The development strategy being implemented by the AFEZ Authority is to build out
AFEZ infrastructure and facilities in phases. The first phase of development covers initial 60 ha
(Phase 1) area of FEZ 1 that was constructed on a high-profile site adjacent to the highway, railway and the Baku International Sea Trade Port. Phase 1 includes five distinct components:
We have completed first phase of the development of off-site and on-site infrastructure and utilities of initial 60 ha area started in June 2021.
We have also finalized detailed design and will start construction works on next 138 ha area within next few weeks in order to provide our investors additional industrial land plots.
In addition, to meet the needs of our customers in logistics-transportation services, we will establish two logistics-transportation centers: one on the territory of 50,000 square meters for goods, transported by road and the second on the territory of 160,000 square meters for goods transported by rail.
Azerbaijan’s approach to its oil and gas industry is a testament to how we keep our
promises to investors.
To regulate the relations between foreign investors and the state in the oil and gas industry, Azerbaijan has adopted special laws – primarily, by
giving production sharing and other agreements with investors the status of prevailing law of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
For over 25 years they have provided solid protection to investors and their investments in
oil and gas projects. This principle has never been violated and stood the test of time. This
approach is positive proof that Azerbaijan has previously created a favourable regime for the
investors and does not violate its obligations.
We will bring this principle and practice from the oil and gas industry to AFEZ.
We have two goals, both of which are crucial.
First, we want to create the best possible business environment for the AFEZ clients, so that they have all they need to successfully establish and develop their businesses in the AFEZ and at the same time we will support expansion and growth of businesses of our clients into the future.
Second, we want to demonstrate to the people of Azerbaijan what the transition to an internationally
competitive and knowledge-based economy means in practice, to support and assist our entrepreneurs, our business entities to learn and practice a new business culture,. We are doing this for generations
of people of Azerbaijan so that they learn and practice a new business culture, new technologies, generate innovative enterprises to create real value for the economy
and the people of Azerbaijan.
As a Chairman, I will ensure that AFEZ will deliver value to investors, and I am confident that investors selected by us will deliver value to the economy and people of Azerbaijan.
If your business or network could benefit from locating in the AFEZ, or you just wish to be kept informed of developments as they proceed, please make the use of the contact options below.
+ 994 12 437 93 13
+ 994 55 202 93 13
[email protected]