BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 2. BAFCO Invest LLC,
a resident of the Aghdam Industrial Park managed by the Economic
Zones Development Agency (EZDA) under the Ministry of Economy,
continues to manufacture specialist safety footwear and
polyurethane boots.
According to the EZDA, the company's manufacturing facility
occupies 2.5 hectares of the industrial park. Its products are
supplied to both the domestic market and international
destinations. The company is working to expand its export footprint
and establish business partnerships in European and North American
markets.
The factory uses equipment manufactured by Germany's DESMA. Its
production process involves injection molding to bond the shoe
soles to the uppers. This technology ensures product strength and
reliability, making the footwear suitable for demanding working
environments. The polyurethane raw materials used to manufacture
the soles are supplied by Germany's BASF.
The facility has an annual production capacity of 510,000 pairs,
including 160,000 pairs of polyurethane boots and 350,000 pairs of
specialist safety footwear.
The company's product portfolio includes footwear designed to
meet different safety requirements. Polyurethane boots are
manufactured in O4, S4 and S5 safety classes. The S4 and S5 models
are equipped with special steel toe caps to protect against impact
injuries.
The uppers of the safety shoes are made of genuine leather,
while their soles consist of dual-layer polyurethane. This product
category includes S1, S1P, S2 and S3 models, designed to meet the
requirements of different industrial and working environments.
BAFCO Invest already exports its products to several
international markets, including Kazakhstan. The company has signed
contracts with three businesses operating in the country and has
made deliveries at various stages. It is currently exploring
opportunities to expand cooperation in response to new orders from
Kazakhstan.
The Balkans are another export destination for the company.
Under an agreement with a distributor in Albania, an initial
shipment of 1,200 pairs of footwear is planned. The order includes
specialist footwear made of genuine leather with polyurethane
soles, as well as polyurethane boots. The products fall under the
O4 and S5 safety classes and are already ready for export.
The company has also taken concrete steps towards entering the
Canadian market. Under a contract with a Canadian company, an order
has been placed for more than 3,500 pairs of polyurethane boots.
The shipment is scheduled for next month.
Meanwhile, negotiations on a cooperation agreement with an
Italian company are ongoing, and initial orders have already been
received from the prospective partner. In November, the company
plans to export 1,200 pairs of polyurethane boots to Italy under
the Made in Azerbaijan brand.
Businesses in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan have also
expressed interest in the company's products. BAFCO Invest aims to
expand its cooperation opportunities in both markets.
To strengthen its position in international markets and raise
awareness of its products among overseas buyers, BAFCO Invest also
takes part in specialized international trade fairs. Such events
provide opportunities to establish direct contacts with potential
partners and secure new orders.
The company established its initial contacts with its Italian
partner at the Big 5 Dubai exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.
Its participation in an exhibition in Kazakhstan also helped it
build business relationships with companies from that country.
As part of its efforts to broaden its international
partnerships, the company plans to participate in specialized trade
fairs in Moscow, Astana and Düsseldorf in the near future.
The Aghdam Industrial Park was established in the Aghdam
district under a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on May 28,
2021. Covering 190 hectares, the park was created to support the
recovery of liberated territories, develop Karabakh's industrial
potential, promote entrepreneurship and increase employment in
manufacturing.
Its priority areas include the production of construction
materials; packaging of agricultural products; fruit and vegetable
canning; meat, dairy, animal feed and fertilizer production and
processing; service industries; and the establishment of cold
storage facilities.
The government has created a favorable investment environment to
support business development in the industrial park. Residents are
fully exempt from property, land, income or profit taxes for 10
years. In addition, machinery, equipment and raw materials imported
for production purposes are exempt from value-added tax (VAT) and
customs duties for the same period.
The incentives also include subsidies for employers' social
insurance contributions and other support measures.
The Aghdam Industrial Park ranks second nationwide in terms of
the number of resident companies. Products manufactured at the park
are supplied to the domestic market as well as exported abroad.
