BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Azerbaijan has
become one of the most attractive investment centers in the region
with its favorable geographical location and economic stability.
Azerbaijan's strategic position between Europe and Asia makes the
country attractive for international companies not only as a
domestic market, but also as a platform for accessing regional
markets. By creating production opportunities in Azerbaijan,
companies can gain more efficient access to Central Asia, the South
Caucasus, and other markets.
One of the main factors determining Azerbaijan's investment
attractiveness is economic stability. The country's stable economic
environment strengthens investor confidence. Azerbaijan offers
investors a stable and sustainable economic environment supported
by strong fiscal indicators and economic policies. Strategic
foreign exchange reserves exceed Azerbaijan's gross domestic
product. As of August 1 this year, Azerbaijan's strategic foreign
exchange reserves amounted to $86.8 billion. This is 12.2% more
than on August 1 last year. These resources further strengthen the
country's macroeconomic stability.
Along with this stable macroeconomic environment, the practical
opportunities created for investors in Azerbaijan also contribute
to increased investment activity. In this regard, the recently
adopted decree on stimulating the export of non-oil and gas goods
and supporting transportation costs, the improvement of mechanisms
for guaranteeing and interest subsidies on loans to business
entities, as well as the normative and legal documents on the
establishment of a Commission to ensure the accelerated
implementation of strategic investment projects and strengthen
inter-agency coordination are of particular importance in terms of
further strengthening the investment climate in Azerbaijan. These
documents complement each other and serve to form a more favorable
business environment for investors and entrepreneurs, reduce costs
incurred during exports, further facilitate access to financial
resources, and more flexible implementation of strategic projects.
This strengthens Azerbaijan's position as a more competitive and
predictable investment destination for both local and foreign
investors.
Among these opportunities created, industrial zones should be
especially noted. There are various support measures by the state
to create a favorable business and investment environment for
entrepreneurs in industrial zones. Thus, in addition to
organizational support, entrepreneurs are offered tax and customs
benefits, as well as provision with ready-made infrastructure.
Residents of industrial parks are exempted from property tax, land
tax, income or profit tax for 10 years from the date of their
registration, VAT on the import of machinery, technological
equipment, and devices they import for production purposes, and
customs duties for 10 years. Modern and extensive infrastructure
provision at the expense of state funds in industrial parks is
offered to residents on the basis of a "Plug & Play" approach to
ready-made infrastructure. Modern infrastructure created at the
expense of state funds allows entrepreneurs to direct their funds
as direct investments in the project.
Azerbaijan opens new opportunities for global
investments
In this regard, the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum
held last year was of great importance in terms of presenting the
country's investment opportunities to international investors. The
1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum, held under the
auspices of President Ilham Aliyev on September 22-23, 2025, was
dedicated to the theme "Advancing East-West, North-South
connectivity in a fragmented global economy." The main goal of the
forum was to present Azerbaijan's investment opportunities to
international investors, further expand cooperation between the
public and private sectors, as well as create a platform for new
capital and strategic partnerships. Documents on investment
projects with a total value of more than $10 billion were signed
within the framework of the forum. Of these, the value of projects
in the non-oil sector with the attraction of foreign investments in
Azerbaijan exceeds $7 billion. The signed documents and the new
partnerships formed strengthened the role of the forum as a
practical platform for investment dialogue.
Azerbaijan on threshold of new investment
opportunities
Against the backdrop of the cooperative environment created by
the first forum and the agreements reached, Azerbaijan is already
preparing for the next International Investment Forum. The 2nd
Azerbaijan International Investment Forum will be held in Baku on
September 25-26, 2026. This indicates that the forum is not a
one-time event, but a large-scale, strategic program that has an
institutional character and has become an important platform for
Azerbaijan's long-term investment strategy. The forum is of great
importance in terms of presenting new projects, expanding regional
cooperation, and demonstrating Azerbaijan's role as an economic
bridge between the East and the West through practical
projects.
The institutional foundations of the Azerbaijan International
Investment Forum are also being strengthened
The Organizing Committee of the Forum was established by the
decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev. The committee includes the
ministers of foreign affairs, finance, culture, internal affairs,
emergencies, health, ecology and natural resources, digital
development and transport, energy, as well as heads of a number of
state agencies.
The Ministry of Economy will perform the function of the
Secretariat of the Organizing Committee. The decree noted that the
promotion of Azerbaijan's economic and investment potential at the
international level, further improvement of the favorable business
and investment environment, attraction of foreign investments,
ensuring sustainable development of the non-oil sector, and
strengthening the country's integration into the global economic
system are among the main priorities of the state's socio-economic
policy.
Thus, the establishment of the Organizing Committee can be
considered an institutional step towards transforming the forum
into a sustainable platform serving the international presentation
of Azerbaijan's investment policy. Holding the second Forum will be
an important milestone in Azerbaijan’s investment strategy, helping
continue the partnerships established in 2025 and attract new
investors.
