The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) has announced the expansion of its fund structure to promote lending in local currencies. Backed by a contribution of €44 million from the European Union’s EU4Business initiative, and €12 million from...
EU4BUSINESS IN AZERBAIJAN
Outside the oil sector, doing business in Azerbaijan often remains a challenge – particularly for SMEs. Although they account for over 80% of all registered companies SMEs only contribute around 3% to the country’s economy. International trade is dominated by large companies. EU4business works with the government, associations and SMEs to develop Azerbaijan’s SME sector by improving access to finance and markets, encouraging women entrepreneurs and building business skills. The EU also supports the government in the development of a more coherent policy towards SMEs allowing the country unleash the potential of SMEs for long term socio-economic development.
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News/Press
18/12/2018
The European Union has issued a strong message of support for economic growth and jobs in its Eastern Partner countries, during two high-level Eastern Partnership (EaP) events held in Vienna on 6 and 7 December. “ It’s our aim to export stability,...
Working towards sustainable rural development in Azerbaijan: 44 families getting EU4Business support
18/12/2018
In the north-west regions of Azerbaijan, the UNDP and the government are helping local communities establish smallholder family businesses , with substantial financial support from the European Union, as part of the EU4Business initiative. The joint...
Success stories
With the support of the OECD within the EU4Business initiative, Azerbaijan has embarked on the implementation of a wide-ranging reform agenda aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing the contribution of small and medium enterprises to employment, domestic production and exports. The fall in oil prices in 2015, combined with an economic slowdown in key regional trade partners, led to a...
Azerbaijan
13/09/2018
Sermar LLC is a ceramic tiles and accessories store selling leading European products in Baku, a long journey from its beginnings in the early 2000s, when it was established as a small shop selling construction materials. “At that time it was just a small store covering a 15-50 square metre area,” recalls the co-owner of the company, Aydin Aliyev .“For 12-13 years, the store operated in that way...
AZZA Cake House is the most popular manufacturer of cake and confectionary products in Azerbaijan. Originally established as a clothes store in 2004, the brand subsequently branched out into the café business. Four years later, AZZA moved into confectionary, and the company has not looked back since, today boasting the largest network of cake shops in the country. “ Initially we were working as a...