President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening ceremony of the "Azermirror" LLC mirror sheet production plant in the Sumgayit Industrial Park on January 27.
Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov first informed the head of state about the industrial zones created in our country and the activities of the Sumgayit Industrial Park.
It was stated that 104 enterprises have started production activities in the existing industrial zones in our country. To date, more than 7 billion manats have been invested in industrial zones, and over 11,000 permanent jobs have been created. In the next stage, it is planned to invest approximately 1.74 billion manats in existing projects. A total of 19.4 billion manats worth of products have been produced in industrial zones so far, of which 6.1 billion manats were exported. Currently, the products manufactured are exported to 70 countries worldwide.
The creation of industrial parks and industrial quarters in various regions of the republic, and the formation of a favorable environment for the expansion of entrepreneurial activity there, are the result of the successful industrialization policy implemented in the country with the aim of diversifying the economy and accelerating the development of the non-oil sector. Industrial zones play an important role in increasing the innovativeness and production efficiency of business entities, promoting the production of products based on high technologies, expanding export potential, and simultaneously increasing the employment level of the population. Currently, 8 industrial parks are operating in the country, including the "Araz Valley Economic Zone" located in Sumgayit, Garadagh, Pirallahi, Mingachevir, Balakhani, Hajigabul, Aghdam, and Jabrayil districts. Work is underway to create the Nakhchivan Industrial Park, as well as new Western Industrial Parks in the cities of Ganja and Shamkir district. Alongside all this, the Masalli, Neftchala, Sabirabad, and Sharur industrial quarters also contribute to the development of production and entrepreneurial activities.
It should be noted that in the Sumgayit Industrial Park, with a total area of 640 hectares, 40 residents are currently operating, with a total project value of 6.7 billion manats and an actual investment volume of 5.5 billion manats. The creation of about 8,800 new jobs is planned within the framework of the projects. In reality, 6,135 people have been employed. The total sales volume of residents has reached 15.4 billion manats, of which 5.7 billion manats are accounted for by exports.
Rustam Abbasov, the founder of "Azermirror" LLC, informed President Ilham Aliyev about the enterprise. It was stated that this LLC was granted resident status of the Sumgayit Industrial Park in 2023. "Azermirror" has built a mirror sheet production plant on 1 hectare of land in the industrial park. 30 people have been permanently employed here. The plant will produce 900,000 square meters of mirror sheets annually. The products manufactured at the enterprise are intended for export, as well as meeting the demands of the domestic market. The investment value of the project, built on Chinese technology, is 6.13 million manats. A preferential loan of 1.5 million manats was allocated for the creation of the enterprise by the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy. Benefiting from all the privileges granted to industrial park residents, "Azermirror" LLC has received tax and customs exemptions worth 600,000 manats.
It should also be noted that the development of the non-oil industry in Azerbaijan is one of the main directions of the state policy implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. Systematic measures are being continued in the country to effectively utilize existing natural and economic resources, attract innovative approaches and advanced technologies to industrial production, form new industrial sectors, and expand the production of competitive products.