Washington, USA, March 11. Azerbaijan’s First
Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev participated in the
U.S.-Azerbaijan Trade and Business Conference in Washington as part
of his visit to the United States, Trend’s special correspondent reports.
During meetings with representatives of U.S. government agencies
and companies, the parties discussed expanding economic and trade
relations, investment opportunities, and new areas of
cooperation.
The conference, dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the
establishment of the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC),
was held in Washington. In addition to government officials, the
event brought together representatives of companies from both
countries operating in the energy, finance, information and
communication technologies (ICT), and other sectors.
Executive Director of the USACC Natig Bakhishov, Chairman of the
Chamber’s Board of Directors Reza Veziri, and Azerbaijan’s
Ambassador to the U.S. Khazar Ibrahim addressed the opening
ceremony. It was noted that over the course of its 30-year
activity, the USACC has played a significant role in fostering a
reliable dialogue between the business communities of the two
countries and promoting mutual investment. Azerbaijan-U.S.
relations are no longer confined to the energy sector, with
cooperation steadily expanding into areas such as trade, transport,
industry, innovation, and digital transformation.
Speaking at the conference’s main session titled “Strengthening
Bilateral Trade and Strategic Cooperation,” First Deputy Minister
of Economy Elnur Aliyev emphasized that institutionalizing dialogue
between Azerbaijan and the United States, establishing a
comprehensive framework for economic cooperation, and developing a
joint investment model are key to deepening the strategic
partnership between the two countries.
He noted that the agreements signed during the visit of
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the U.S. in August last year,
as well as the Strategic Partnership Charter concluded during the
visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Azerbaijan in February,
have opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. According to
Aliyev, the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity”
(TRIPP), envisaged within the framework of the Joint Declaration on
Peace signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia with the
participation of the U.S. president, is expected to further
stimulate the expansion of trade and investment.
In his remarks, he also highlighted Azerbaijan’s favorable
business environment, the economic potential of Karabakh and East
Zangezur, and the strategic role of the Alat Free Economic Zone
(AFEZ), which is envisioned as a hub for transit, logistics, and
value-added economic activities.
Deputy Minister of Energy Orkhan Zeynalov, Chairman of the
Azerbaijani Parliament Committee on International Relations and
Interparliamentary Relations Samad Seyidov, and President of the
State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf
also addressed the conference, outlining prospects for enhanced
cooperation in the energy and transport-logistics sectors. It was
noted that Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable energy partner and its
contribution to regional and global energy security, together with
the regional transport initiatives it has spearheaded,
significantly expand opportunities for both bilateral and
multilateral partnerships.
Jeffrey Kessler, Deputy Under Secretary for Industry and
Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Reggie Singh,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy and Critical Minerals at the
U.S. Department of State, underscored the importance of
strengthening business ties between the two countries and promoting
joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest.
The conference also featured panel sessions focusing on
technology and innovation, digitalization, energy infrastructure,
finance, and banking, where participants exchanged views on
emerging opportunities for cooperation.
On the sidelines of the event, First Deputy Minister of Economy
Elnur Aliyev met with Su Le, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder
of HAIMAKER.AI Inc. The meeting explored potential cooperation in
digital transformation, the application of artificial intelligence
technologies, and the development of innovative digital
solutions.
In addition, Aliyev held a series of meetings with U.S.
officials to discuss further strengthening economic cooperation and
expanding business ties between the two countries.
During a meeting with Bill Guidera, Acting Assistant Secretary
for Industry and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce, the
sides noted the steady development of economic cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the United States. They discussed opportunities for
joint initiatives in investment, energy, transport and logistics,
the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. The parties also
exchanged views on regional connectivity projects and the potential
created by the TRIPP.
At a meeting with Carl B. Kress, Regional Director of the United
States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), discussions focused on
the existing potential for cooperation in Azerbaijan within the
framework of USTDA’s activities, particularly projects that could
be implemented in infrastructure, energy, logistics, and
technology.
Representatives of the U.S. Department of State, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Hugo
Yon and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of Trade Policy
and Negotiations Tsering Dongtog discussed the current state and
prospects of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the U.S.
The sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration in trade,
investment, energy, transport, and the digital economy, with
particular attention given to the prospects for expanding the
activities of U.S. companies in Azerbaijan and implementing joint
projects.
During a meeting with Jeff Gettman, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative for Europe and the Middle East at the Office of the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the parties reviewed the
current state of Azerbaijan-U.S. economic and trade relations and
discussed prospects for their further development. They also
exchanged views on opportunities to increase bilateral trade and
investment, as well as issues related to trade policy,
diversification of supply chains, and the expansion of U.S.
companies’ activities in Azerbaijan.
Meetings were also held with Benjamin Todd, Vice President of
the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Kenneth Angell,
Managing Director of the U.S. International Development Finance
Corporation (DFC), Caitlin McDonnell, Vice President of Visa, and
Andy Griminger, Partner at Tetra Tech. The discussions focused on
cooperation opportunities in digital transformation, the
application of cloud technologies, the digitalization of public
services, and the development of data infrastructure. The sides
also exchanged views on the use of financial instruments in
economic projects implemented in Azerbaijan, as well as potential
projects and prospects for investment cooperation in the energy,
logistics, industry, and innovation sectors.
Within the framework of the visit, the Ministry of Economy of
Azerbaijan and HAIMAKER.AI Inc. signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on a potential partnership to develop a
next-generation digital platform and ecosystem in Azerbaijan.
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