Azerbaijan’s business development agency on expanding ties with relevant structures of Russia
Representatives of a number of public and private structures take part in February 21 forum, which creates conditions for an effective dialogue between the parties
The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBIA) attaches great importance to expanding ties with Russia's relevant structures at the level of state institutions, as well as directly with business communities, Orkhan Mammadov, chairman of the KOBIA Board, said during the Doing Business: Azerbaijan & Udmurtia business forum in Baku, Qazet.az informs.
He said that holding events of this format demonstrates the existence of a wide range of areas for joint cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia’s Udmurtia, including in the field of small and medium-sized businesses, and allows more quickly identifying promising areas for the implementation of bilateral initiatives.
Representatives of a number of public and private structures take part in February 21 forum, which creates conditions for an effective dialogue between the parties, Mammadov added.
He noted that within long-term cooperation with SME Corporation JSC, seminars were held for SMEs on public procurement, specialized round tables with the participation of companies from both sides.
“Particular attention is paid to working with the regions, and before the pandemic, we observed the dynamics of the growth of initiatives to develop regional cooperation.
Unfortunately, at the peak of the pandemic, we had limited ability to maintain direct contacts. With the easing of restrictions, it is gratifying to see the return of activity in this direction,” Mammadov said.
“The Agency is actively working to expand the geography of cooperation between local SMEs and potential foreign partners.
"In this regard, I would like to note the interest in establishing relations with the relevant structures of Udmurtia, in order to exchange experience, as well as implement joint business support mechanisms.
"We are also interested in attracting foreign businesses to Azerbaijan and are ready to provide the necessary assistance.
"The agency also provides financial support to local market research entrepreneurs for successful business. Regarding other financial mechanisms of the Agency, I would like to note the provision of grants for the implementation of scientific, educational and research projects in the field of SME development.
"The agency can also assist entrepreneurs in identifying a local business partner. In this direction, I would like to note the Friends of SMEs network, which operates in about 30 districts and cities of Azerbaijan, as well as the Public Council under the Agency, which consists of 15 business associations uniting hundreds of entrepreneurs,” the chairman of the KOBIA Board said.