BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17. More than 80% of
Azerbaijan’s critical mineral resources are located in the
territories liberated from occupation, making them a key driver of
the country’s future economic development, Economy Minister Mikayil
Jabbarov said on Wednesday, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.


Speaking during a dialogue session at the annual meetings of the
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group in Baku, Jabbarov said the
mining sector is expected to become one of the main engines of
economic activity in these regions.


“For nearly 30 years, we had no access to these resources, so
the mining sector will be one of the leaders of economic activity
in these regions,” he said.


He noted that the reconstruction of the liberated territories is
viewed not only as an economic and social project but also as a
national priority. According to him, it represents “the embodiment
of the national idea of modern Azerbaijan” and aims to create
conditions for the return of internally displaced persons to their
ancestral lands.


Jabbarov said all liberated territories have been designated as
green development zones, adding that rebuilding from the ground up
has created an opportunity to introduce modern technologies and
efficient solutions across infrastructure, including roads, power
plants, universities, and housing.







He also highlighted the region’s transport connectivity
potential, noting that linking mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan
via the proposed Zangezur Corridor could unlock additional
opportunities for exporters and strengthen the Middle Corridor
route connecting Central Asia and China with Turkey and Europe.


The minister said one of the two industrial zones being
developed in the liberated territories is focused on transport and
logistics, adding that the Aghdam Industrial Park has already
become the country’s second-largest in terms of registered
residents.


Jabbarov emphasized that a combination of large-scale public
investment and growing interest from private and foreign capital
represents the development model Azerbaijan intends to
continue.


He also noted that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group was
the first multilateral development bank to finance a major project
in the liberated territories, providing more than $400 million for
the construction of the Karabakh irrigation canal.