Azerbaijan sharply increased its direct investment in Italy in the first half of 2026, with around $3.25 billion of the $5 billion invested abroad going to the country, according to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.
The figure was almost 310 times higher than the amount invested in Italy during the same period last year, the bank told local media.
Türkiye was the second-largest destination for Azerbaijani direct investment, receiving $603.8 million, an increase of 3.4 times year on year. It was followed by the UK with $329.2 million, up 5.1 times; the UAE with $270.1 million, up 72.8%; and Georgia with $114 million, up 47.7%.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan received about $3.67 million in direct investment from abroad during the first six months of the year, with the UK accounting for around $936 million, 16.1% more than a year earlier.
Türkiye was the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan at $902.7 million, up 43.6%, followed by South Cyprus with $411.1 million, up 6.3%; Russia with $237.1 million, up 82.8%; and Iran with $203.8 million, up 15.8%.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
