GANJA, Azerbaijan, June 5. The European Union
is preparing new projects to support entrepreneurship in Karabakh
and other regions of Azerbaijan, Victor Bojkov, Head of the
Cooperation Department at the EU Delegation, said at a media
briefing marking the 30th anniversary of the EU-Azerbaijan
partnership and projects implemented in Ganja, Trend reports.
According to Bojkov, the EU places special emphasis on projects
in Azerbaijan’s regions and remains committed to expanding its
activities in this area.
“We have implemented various projects in the regions in the past
and this activity continues now. This is an important part of our
strategy. We do not neglect the regions,” he said.
Bojkov noted that the EU previously implemented a program in the
Lankaran and Astara regions with an annual budget of 15 million
euros.
According to him, the initiative supported local agricultural
producers and delivered significant results.
“Some manufacturers have managed to increase their production
capacity fourfold,” he said.
The EU official added that a new investment project is currently
being developed in Karabakh in cooperation with the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
“This project is aimed at stimulating the development of local
entrepreneurship, especially small entrepreneurship,” Bojkov
said.
He noted that some EU-backed initiatives may not be highly
visible to the public.
“That is why we visit the regions, meet with local communities
and media representatives, and try to explain how the projects
being implemented benefit cities and communities,” he said.
Bojkov stressed that the goal is to ensure the benefits of these
projects are felt even in the smallest settlements.
