Doing Business in Azerbaijan 2009 - Azerbaijan Export ...

144 DOING BUSINESS IN AZERBAIJAN
Culture is an important ingredient of entertainment for the
Bakuvites. A turn-of-the-century Opera house and a Philharmonic
Concert House regularly host international and regional events. The
Baku-Jazz-Festival has become an international event - featuring
major international artists like Al Jarreau, Aziza Mustafazadeh,
Herbie Hancock and many others.
Baku is a relatively safe city. It has one of the lowest crime rates of
all member countries of the Council of Europe. Walking around in
Baku is therefore safer than in most other big cities in Western
Europe. Of course, you should avoid unknown places after dark and
not display a lot of cash openly in public.
Dress code for men is long trousers at any time and temperature of
the year, whereas women can wear any fashion without any
problems. In Baku you will see mini-skirts next to traditional female
dresses.
Although English and other foreign languages are now studied by
the younger generation, do not expect to get by without the
knowledge of basic Azeri or Russian.
The health care system is still undergoing complex reform efforts.
Especially in the rural regions of Azerbaijan, medical services are
very basic. In Baku, facilities with modern equipment and
internationally trained doctors are available.
Minor operations can be conducted according to European
Standards in Baku. For complex and long term treatments, there is
still a lack of capacity.
German-Azerbaijan business relation date back over 200 years and
have traditionally been friendly. The Siemens brothers were among
the first international entrepreneurs that invested in Azerbaijan: