The Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), Vusal Gasimli, delivered a speech at the panel titled “Revival of Karabakh and the New Development Model of Azerbaijan,” held within the framework of the 30th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition (“Baku Build-2025”) and the 5th Azerbaijan International Exhibition on Restoration, Reconstruction and Development of Karabakh (“Rebuild Karabakh – 2025”) in Baku.
He spoke about the work carried out under the “First State Program on the Great Return to the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan” and stated that the implementation of the measures is successfully continuing. The total amount of funds allocated from the state budget for the liberated territories, including those under the State Program, amounts to 21.44 billion AZN. According to the monitoring and evaluation reports conducted by CAERC, the return of nearly 5,000 families to their native lands has been ensured across 28 settlements in 10 districts. Currently, the population residing in the liberated territories is close to 50,000. By the end of 2025, the resettlement of more than 10,000 families to 47 settlements is planned.
As a result of creating favorable mechanisms for entrepreneurial activity, among the 30 residents and 18 non-residents registered in the Aghdam Industrial Park, 10 residents and 1 non-resident have started operations. Among the 4 residents and 3 non-residents registered in the “Araz Valley” Industrial Park, 2 residents and 1 non-resident have commenced their activities.
The Executive Director of CAERC emphasized that, on average, 35 percent of the permanently settled population in the liberated territories is economically active, and 91 percent of them are employed. There are 18 general education institutions and 7 preschool education institutions currently operating in the liberated territories. The construction of 5 general education institutions and 1 preschool education institution is underway, and repair works are being carried out in 1 vocational education institution.
Speaking about transport and transit projects, Vusal Gasimli noted that international airports in Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Lachin districts have been put into operation. The construction of nearly 500 km of highways has been completed. The Aghdam Railway and Bus Terminal Complex have been inaugurated, more than 75 km of the Horadiz-Aghband railway has been constructed, and the 47.1 km Barda-Aghdam railway has been commissioned.
The main goal of the panel discussions held within the framework of “Rebuild Karabakh – 2025” was to present Karabakh not only as a center for reconstruction and infrastructure projects but also as an important pillar of Azerbaijan’s new and sustainable development model, while demonstrating that Karabakh offers vast opportunities and prospects for investors and professionals.
Along with Vusal Gasimli, the session was attended by Chairman of the Board of the Karabakh Revival Fund Rahman Hajiyev, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Ilgar Isbatov, CEO of “Caspian Event Organisers” Farid Mammadov, Director of “Tabaterra” JSC Elman Javanshir, and Director for Real Estate Development at “PMD Group” LLC Kamil Aliyev.
During the event, new urban planning principles in the liberated territories, the region’s integration into the Azerbaijani and global economy, practical examples of public-private partnerships, and the main challenges of the next stage were discussed.
