President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to results of socio-economic development in the nine months of 2017 and objectives for the future.

President Ilham Aliyev hailed the successful and comprehensive development of Azerbaijan in the nine months of the current year, saying dynamic development was ensured in all fields in the country. He said the economic indicatives are positive.

Pointing out that the non-oil economy grew by 2.5 per cent in the first nine months of the year, the head of state described this as a result of the policy of recent years. The President noted that the industrial part of the non-oil sector grew by 3.1 per cent, in agriculture by 2.8 per cent, while the foreign trade increased by 7 per cent in the first three quarters of the year. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan's foreign exchange reserves totaled $42 billion in nine months. "We are thinking about long-term sustainable development." The head of state described Azerbaijan's economic opportunities as one of the key conditions of independence. He pointed out that a $4.5 billion growth in foreign exchange reserves is one of the most successful achievements in the nine-month period.

President Ilham Aliyev hailed the successful creation of jobs in this period, saying 226,000 new jobs were created.

Hailing the successful implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the construction of new roads, drinking water, gas, electricity supply and melioration projects over the past period, the head of state underlined that taking such measures gives impetus to the successful development of regions and the overall economic progress of the country.

"New schools, medical centers were built and renovated over the past period. Addressing the social problems of IDPs, and providing them with housing has also been a major focus of the government's attention from the beginning of the year."

The head of state described the restoration of Jojug Marjanli and the creation of social infrastructure in the village as a historic event. He said that the internally displaced persons will be provided with new apartments this year, and the project will be continued next year too. The President added that more than 250,000 of our compatriots have been provided with housing by the state so far.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan made great strides in the field of sports in the first nine months of this year, adding that the Islamic Solidarity Games were excellently organized in the country.

The head of state underlined Azerbaijan's strengthening positions on the international scene over the past three quarters, saying Azerbaijan is known as a reliable partner in the world. President Ilham Aliyev noted that he made 14 foreign visits, while more than 10 heads of state and government paid visits to Azerbaijan in the nine months of 2017, describing each of these visits as beneficial for the country.

Providing an insight into the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan's position on this issue remains unchanged, and that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not the subject of negotiations. He noted that Azerbaijan will not allow the creation of the second Armenian state on its territory. "Although Armenia tried to disrupt the negotiations it did not succeed," the head of state underlined.

President Ilham Aliyev hailed the significant events that took place in the oil and gas sector of Azerbaijan over the period. "A new agreement on Azeri, Chirag and Gunashli fields was signed last month. Works on the Southern Gas corridor are also successfully underway."

Noting that the key goal is to develop the non-oil sector, the head of state pointed out that oil revenues are channeled into the development of human capital.

Saying the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will be officially launched soon, President Ilham Aliyev added that the project, which involve and in many cases were initiated by Azerbaijan, are global in nature and contribute to the strengthening of the country's position in the world.

The head of state noted that serious steps relating to economic reforms were taken in the country over the past nine months, comprehensive conditions were created for entrepreneurs, the development of strategic road maps was ensured, and the investment promotion mechanism was launched.

“To date, more than 200 investment promotion certificates have been issued, as a result of which AZN 1.7 billion was invested by the private sector in Azerbaijan. Along with this, the mechanism of export promotion has been launched in the country.”

President Ilham Aliyev said that this year will go down in Azerbaijan's history as a year of serious economic reforms, adding that according to the Davos World Economic Forum's global competitiveness report, which involves 140 countries, Azerbaijan has moved up two spots to rank 35th, maintaining its leadership in the CIS.

Addressing the event, Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov, chairman of Azeravtoyol Open Joint Stock Company Saleh Mammadov, and Director General of Baku Transport Agency Vusal Karimli highlighted the work done in the nine months of this year and outlined forthcoming tasks.

In his closing remarks, President Ilham Aliyev said that the issues envisaged by the state investment program will be addressed by the end of the year. The head of state emphasized the possibility of adopting the state investment program for 2018.

Pointing out the work done to develop entrepreneurship, and the preferential loans granted to businessmen, the head of state noted that National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support of the Ministry of Economy should ensure lending by the end of the year.

Hailing the implementation of very important projects on road infrastructure in the country in nine months of this year, President Ilham Aliyev said that these projects will give impetus to the development of tourism sector in the regions. "More rural roads will be constructed next year. Apart from this, 150,000 hectares of land will be supplied with water this year, while 100,000 hectares of land is to be supplied with water next year, which will ensure the agricultural development."

President Ilham Aliyev also praised the important steps, which were taken to provide farmers with agricultural machinery, saying logistic centers were built in the regions and new modern greenhouse complexes are currently being built in the area of more than 400 hectares.

Saying that modern industrial zones were created in the regions, the head of state noted the importance of active participation in exhibitions and international events in order to promote the country's export potential.

The President underlined the revival in the construction sector, saying 95 residential buildings are currently under construction in the capital. He noted that modern residential complexes are built in place of unusable buildings.

Hailing the successful work to establish ASAN Service centers, President Ilham Aliyev also noted the importance of the creation of ABAD centers. He praised the rapid development in the country` tourism sector.

President Ilham Aliyev said that public and political situation and economic development in Azerbaijan are an example to many countries. The head of state expressed his confidence that Azerbaijan will continue successfully developing both by the end of the year and in the years to come.

AZERTAC