BAKU HOSTS AZERBAIJAN-FINLAND BUSINESS FORUM

Baku, 08 0ctober ,(AzerTAj)The Azerbaijan-Finland business forum organized by the Economic Development Ministry and Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) is under way at the Park INN hotel.

The forum gathered some 20 businessmen engaged in finance, health, information
technology, environment, construction, logistics and some 60 entrepreneurs from
Azerbaijan.
Economic Development Minister Heydar Babayev said Azerbaijan got out of the crisis
thanks to national leader Heydar Aliyev`s forward-looking policy. He highlighted the
accomplishments achieved over recent years, successful economic reforms, projects to
develop business in the country. He pointed out GDP has risen four times for the
past four years, and 25% on the same period last year. Share of the private sector
in GDP reached 84%.
Non-oil sector, according to him, increased by 11 percent. The government of
Azerbaijan announced this sector the priority area. Babayev said Finnish
businessmen`s experience in this sphere is important for Azerbaijan.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Vayrynen said reciprocal visits
play important role in developing bilateral relations between the two countries. He
praised rapid economic growth in Azerbaijan. He said Finland is keen on economic and
cultural cooperation with Azerbaijan. Minister expressed hope the world financial
crisis will avoid Azerbaijan because of the sustainable economic development here.
Vayrynen stressed the importance of the forum of business networking.
AZPROMO President Emil Majidov told of the prospects for Finnish investments in
Azerbaijan. Mr Christoph Vitzthum, Group Vice President and head of Wartsila Power
Plants, introduced members of the Finland delegation. Finpro Director for Industry
Antti-Jussi provided information about the country`s economy.
The forum was followed by the bilateral meetings of Azerbaijani and Finnish
businessmen.