Doing Business in Azerbaijan 2009 - Azerbaijan Export ...

50 DOING BUSINESS IN AZERBAIJAN
Foreign Workers in Azerbaijan
Foreign employees who are employed by enterprises (affiliates or
representative offices) operating in Azerbaijan are subject to
Azerbaijani labour law, except for those working in enterprises,
branches or representative offices located in Azerbaijan under
employment contracts concluded in the foreign state where the
employer is located.
Foreign nationals wishing to work in Azerbaijan are required to
register at their place of residence and obtain a work permit. Work
permits are issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
Heads of representative offices and branches of foreign legal
entities (and their deputies) and certain other categories of foreign
employees are not required to obtain a work permit in Azerbaijan.
Foreign trade regulation
Azerbaijan has started negotiations with WTO on accession to the
organization. The government has undertaken a number of steps to
liberalize foreign trade. As of the end of 2008, the weighted average
import tariff in Azerbaijan was 5.8 % i.e. significantly below the
international average. Import and export is one of the most rapidly
developing business segments in Azerbaijan. The average annual
growth in foreign trade in recent years is approximately 15%.
Azerbaijan is developing trade relations with a number of countries.
In 2008, there were trade operations with 141 partners. The
European Union remained the major destination for export of
Azerbaijani goods. Russia and CIS are the major importers.
The main export commodities are oil and petrochemicals, a/c
products. The import includes machinery and luxury goods,
constructions materials etc.