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US AMBASSADOR INVITES INVESTORS TO AZERBAIJAN'S 'KHANATES'
epress.am
09.29.2011 17:58
A major problem in Azerbaijani society is that political and economic
power is highly concentrated among a few groups, said US Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza on the eve of a meeting with members of
the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC), RFE/RL reports.
"If you look at the history of this region, for centuries there were
groupings of power around what is today Azerbaijan that were known
as khanates, which held power in various regions. Of course, [today]
Azerbaijan is a[n independent] state. But to a certain extent, maybe
some of those traditions of khanates in the economy continue," he said,
adding that it's difficult for American companies to do business in
the Caspian Sea nation because they don't understand with whom they
can work and how to grow their business.
According to him, corruption continues to be a problem in Azerbaijan.
At the same time, he stressed Azerbaijan's attractiveness for
investors and the strategic importance of the country. "Azerbaijan is
the only country in the world that has 9 climatic zones. There is no
'Dutch disease' and it prefers to implement projects with Turkey and
Europe. And despite pressure from the north and south, Azerbaijan
has a strategic relationship with the US," he said.
epress.am
09.29.2011 17:58
A major problem in Azerbaijani society is that political and economic
power is highly concentrated among a few groups, said US Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza on the eve of a meeting with members of
the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC), RFE/RL reports.
"If you look at the history of this region, for centuries there were
groupings of power around what is today Azerbaijan that were known
as khanates, which held power in various regions. Of course, [today]
Azerbaijan is a[n independent] state. But to a certain extent, maybe
some of those traditions of khanates in the economy continue," he said,
adding that it's difficult for American companies to do business in
the Caspian Sea nation because they don't understand with whom they
can work and how to grow their business.
According to him, corruption continues to be a problem in Azerbaijan.
At the same time, he stressed Azerbaijan's attractiveness for
investors and the strategic importance of the country. "Azerbaijan is
the only country in the world that has 9 climatic zones. There is no
'Dutch disease' and it prefers to implement projects with Turkey and
Europe. And despite pressure from the north and south, Azerbaijan
has a strategic relationship with the US," he said.