Tourism Sector in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan gets $100 million profits from tourism, however Cyprus which occupies smaller territory earns $2 billion from this sector. Azerbaijan has a great capacity to develop tourism. Nevertheless government should guarantee forming competitive tourism business through implementing relevant infrustructure projects in the direction of turning this capacity into opportunities as well as developing it. In comparison with neighboring countries development of tourism is very low.  (Download the paper)

Managing Resource Revenues in Oil-Rich CAREC Countries: The Case of Azerbaijan

The high inflow of oil revenues to Azerbaijan in recent years has led to large and unsustainable increases in government expenditures in the state budget and State Oil Fund of the Azerbaijan Republic. Given that oil revenues are exhaustible, volatile, and unpredictable, a sustainable fiscal policy must be enabled that allows for intergenerational equity, diversification in the economy, and predictable annual revenues that reduce pressures of appreciation. (Download the paper)

Sector Policy Convergences in technical rules/standards and customs in Azerbaijan to support EU Eastern Partnership Initiative

The overall goal of this paper is to understand how Azerbaijan can converge its Trade and
Customs Policy with the European Union to meet the economic integration goals set in the
EU Eastern Partnership Initiative in Azerbaijan. More specifically, the paper is interested in
harmonizing standardization, Technical Barriers to Trade, and customs legislation with the
European Union. (Download the Paper).

Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Republic of Azerbaijan

In the interest of fighting against corruption in an effective and enduring way, the implementation of comprehensive measures is extremely important. As such, the package of anti-corruption measures prepared by the Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD) has been developed to strengthen the fight against corruption and bribery and to achieve long- lasting results. CESD_Anti_Corruption_Strategy

Paving the Road towards Visa-free Travel between Eastern Partnership countries and the EU; the Case of Azerbaijan

Visa Liberalization is a very huge step in the integration to the EU. Visa Liberalization will facilitate economic integration, enable Azerbaijan to access the European market, and explore trade and investment opportunities. It will also increase people-to-people contacts, which is also important for Azerbaijan. (Download the paper)

The State of Policy Analysis in Azerbaijan

This assessment will seek to describe the present situation of policy analysis in Azerbaijan. The methodology used by the author has been desk research and more importantly, semi-structured face-to-face interviews with representatives of policy research institutions, international development agencies, independent policy analysts, and university lecturers in Azerbaijan. (Download the paper)

Follow the Money : The Case of Azerbaijan

The influx of petrodollars to the country in recent years has paved the way for considerable expenditures in the state budget and the State Oil Fund of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOFAZ). Azerbaijan’s oil revenues are mainly allocated to finance projects for road construction, transport, water supply, building of houses for refugees and IDPs. The major challenge now is to spend these revenues efficiently and transparently. (Download the paper)

Azerbaijan Economy in 2010

According to government sources, last year Azerbaijan economy was noticeable for its decreasing trends of crisis. However, the amounts of international debts have increased, after 2008-2009 of deflation, there was significant increase in inflation rate. (Download the paper)

Azerbaijan’s Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO): Pros and Cons

What are essence and key functions of the World Trade Organization (WTO)? What changes will be arisen after the accession of Azerbaijan to an institution introduced without any alternative? Why we couldn’t reach any consent within the 13 years negotiations? What will be advantages and disadvantages of WTO membership? Despite these questions are not fundamental, they are of real interest in a period when the globalization is widening more and more and the economic integration is unavoidable. This document has been drawn up to find out answers to the tens questions mentioned or not mentioned previously. (Download the paper)