The Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) provided information on the work carried out in industrial zones and agro-parks under its management in the past year, as well as the planned measures for the future.
A press conference was held on the results of the Economic Zones Development Agency’s (EZDA) activities in 2024 and the upcoming tasks under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan.
The Chairman of the Board of EZDA, Seymur Adıgozalov, provided media representatives with information on the work carried out in industrial zones and agro-parks under the Agency’s management last year, as well as the planned measures for the future.
It was stated that in 2024, 31 business entities were granted resident status, and one business entity was granted non-resident status in the industrial zones managed by EZDA. Last year, 10 enterprises started operations in these industrial zones. These enterprises collectively invested 48.6 million AZN in the zones and created 379 permanent jobs.
To date, 152 business entities have been granted resident status, and 10 businesses have received non-resident status in industrial zones. The total investment portfolio of these industrial zones has exceeded 7.9 billion AZN, with over 6.9 billion AZN already invested by entrepreneurs. So far, 84 enterprises have started operations, creating more than 10,700 permanent jobs.
Between 2015 and 2024, industrial zones have generated 15.4 billion AZN in product sales, of which 4.9 billion AZN worth of goods were exported.
In 2024, industrial zones recorded 3.3 billion AZN in total sales, with 1.07 billion AZN attributed to exports. Compared to 2023, exports increased by 8.1%. Products manufactured in industrial zones were exported to more than 70 countries. Additionally, industrial zones accounted for 17.6% of non-oil industrial production and 26% of non-oil industrial exports.
This year, around 10 new enterprises are expected to start operations in industrial zones managed by EZDA. With the launch of these enterprises, approximately 1,000 permanent jobs will be created.
The Agdam Industrial Park, established on 190 hectares of land in the liberated territories, has allocated nearly 70% of its area for entrepreneurial use. Despite being established only a few years ago, it has become the second-largest industrial park in the country after Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park in terms of the number of residents. So far, 29 business entities have been granted resident status, while 4 entrepreneurs have received non-resident status. Entrepreneurs have invested 107 million AZN in the park, creating over 450 permanent jobs. Preference in employment is given to residents of Agdam and surrounding districts. Currently, 9 enterprises are operational in the park, producing goods for both domestic sales and exports. The total sales volume in the park has reached 22.3 million AZN.
The "Araz Valley Economic Zone" Industrial Park currently has 16 residents and 2 non-residents. So far, its residents have invested over 29.6 million AZN in the park, creating nearly 100 jobs.
Due to the import VAT and customs concessions applied in the industrial parks managed by EZDA, residents have saved over 505 million AZN to date, including more than 44 million AZN in 2024 alone.
It was stated that, to date, a total of 24 agro-parks, including 2 state-owned and 22 private ones, have been registered under the Agency’s management. Of these agro-parks, which cover an area of 66.3 thousand hectares across 22 districts, 23 have started operations, while construction and installation work is ongoing in 1 agro-park. Among the agro-parks, 6 specialize in livestock farming, 6 in fruit growing, 11 in crop production, and 1 in sorting, packaging, and logistics. The total project value of the agro-parks amounts to 1.1 billion AZN, of which 0.9 billion AZN has been invested in project implementation as private investment. A total of 3,720 people have been permanently employed in the registered agro-parks, while 4,878 people have been involved in seasonal work. In the next phase, the creation of over 1,600 additional permanent jobs is planned.a
The Yevlakh Pilot Agro-Park, with a total area of 2,807 hectares, is the first agro-park in the country established with the involvement of small and medium-sized farmers. The agro-park is planned to include intensive fruit orchards, livestock and poultry farms, as well as processing facilities. A total of 34 business entities have been registered as residents of the agro-park. To date, residents have invested 44 million AZN, creating 121 permanent and 457 seasonal jobs.
The Sabirabad Pilot Agro-Park covers an area of 7,544 hectares. Currently, 8 business entities have been granted resident status. Residents have carried out cultivation on 4,100 hectares. To date, 22.4 million AZN has been invested in the implemented projects, creating 98 permanent and 397 seasonal jobs.
Media representatives were also informed about the activities of the Vocational Education Center managed by the EZDA. It was highlighted that the Center provides education for 384 students in 16 specialties. The Vocational Education Center collaborates with many industrial enterprises. In 2024, memoranda of understanding were signed with 8 companies and organizations, and cooperation contracts were signed with 18 companies. More than 65% of the graduates from 2023-2024 have been employed.
