amcham azerbaijan annual report 2008-2009

ProJectsThe White PaperAmCham is closely cooperating with theAzerbaijani Government to promote thedevelopment of the private sector. Asrepresentatives of the international and localbusiness community in Azerbaijan, we havea strong interest in seeing business succeedin Azerbaijan. The key to that success isa business environment which permitsbusinesses to thrive. A healthy, competitivebusiness climate is not only good for businessbut also for all the citizens of Azerbaijan,through the creation of jobs and wealth.AmCham, as the leading advocate of businessin Azerbaijan, supports the Government’sinitiatives to improve Azerbaijan’s businessclimate. Our members have invested in everysector of Azerbaijan’s economy, and areuniquely placed to provide the Government with insight into the issues which need to beaddressed, in order to make Azerbaijan a highly competitive, attractive place to invest anddo business.A significant part of AmCham’s contribution is reflected in our White Papers, consistingof “Observations and Recommendations for Improving Azerbaijan’s Business Climate”. Inthis publication, we identify the major obstacles to the further development of Azerbaijan’sprivate sector, especially in the non oil and gas sector.Emphasizing the success Azerbaijan has achieved during the last decade, we also stressareas which are still in need of improvement and propose possible solutions. In the WhitePaper, we provide a brief overview of all sectors of the Azerbaijani economy, and highlightthe progress achieved as a result of a successful government strategy. While some ofour comments are critical of certain aspects of the Azerbaijani business climate, we haveendeavored to make the White Paper as constructive as possible by providing suggestionsfor improvement and offering our assistance. The White Paper was been prepared in a spiritof cooperation and in the hope that our contribution can help accelerate the process ofAzerbaijan’s development, improving the business climate while at the same time increasingthe prosperity of the country.The first edition of the document has been presented to the late President Heydar Aliyev in2001. Second edition has been presented to President Ilham Aliyev in November 2005. Thelatest edition of White Paper that has been presented to President Ilham Aliyev by US DeputySecretary of Commerce John Sullivan in October 2008.30