Dear conference participants, {nl}

I welcome you - the participants of Council Meeting of the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
Founded in 1992, the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE) is today effectively working to strengthen the economic and industrial potential of enterprises and expand its international relations.
The ICIE Council Meeting in Baku coincides with Azerbaijan`s widely celebrating the 20th anniversary of its independence. Carrying out successful political and economic reforms through the years of independence, Azerbaijan is today one of the region`s leading countries and an active participant in transnational projects.
Developing entrepreneurship and ensuring sustainable improvement of business environment in the country are among key priorities in Azerbaijan`s economic development strategy. In this context, we adopted a number of state programs, which are being successfully implemented. It's not a coincidence that the share of the private sector in Azerbaijan`s Gross Domestic product is more than 80 percent, with entrepreneurship playing more and more important role in fulfilling different tasks the country faces.
Expanding international relations of entrepreneurs and deepening cooperation among their associations is an essential element for development of entrepreneurship. I`m confident that being a brilliant opportunity to discuss these issues, the Baku meeting will, at the same time, create a solid foundation for future cooperation.
I wish the conference successes.

Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku, October 5, 2011