OREANDA-NEWS. December 29, 2007. Azerbaijan Export & Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) has determined priorities and directions of the work for 2008.

“We plan to hold at least 25 business forums in 2008. We try to select partners accurately. In 2008 AZPROMO posed the task for employees to attend 30% of time to organize such measures not to reduce quality even in case of damage of quantity,” E.Majidov said.

Around thirty contracts have been concluded with different countries for 2007 because of business forums organized by AZPROMO.

“Total volume of signed contracts exceeds $60 million and the largest part covers trade sector. Most of the contracts supposed import that is a minus for us. Only 10% of total volume falls at export contracts. In 2008 we will struggle to attract business from many countries into Azerbaijan. We already have definite countries-partners we cooperate well (Germany, Korea, Italy, China, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey). In 2008 we plan to attract USA as a partner,” E.Majidov reported. At the same time, there is a problem of long distances between countries.

“It will be difficult for our exporters and importers to overcome geographic distances between countries.” E.Majidov said.

Azpromo was founded by Ministry of Economic Development in 2002. At present 94 companies are Azpromo members (state, private, and international ones).