amcham azerbaijan annual report 2008-2009

www.amchamaz.orgRelations with theState Migration ServiceAmCham Azerbaijan has been actively working with the State Migration Service (SMS) tofacilitate the process of obtaining temporary residence and work permits for the expatriatestaff of our member companies. Over the past six months we have held a number ofmeetings with the Chairman of State Migration Service, General Arzu Rahimov. In additionto the working meetings with some of AmCham Board Members on regular basis, GeneralRahimov addressed the entire membership by speaking on one of our Monthly Members’Luncheons as well as held a separate meeting with members of AmCham HR Committee.We have also hosted a seminar with attendance of over 90 people at which our memberswere able to ask questions directly to migration officials.One of the major concerns expressed by our members since the introduction of a newsystem was inability to use third party consultants to prepare and submit the applicationson their behalf. Further to the discussions with SMS we have secured a right for ourmember companies to use the services of the wide range of consulting firms representedin the chamber.We hope this will significantly ease the process for those of our members that preferusing the services of consulting firms to apply for permits. State Migration Service does,however, encourage companies to apply directly as they are committed to continueimproving the application process.37