A Word From Executive Director of AmCham Issue 30 Dear members, Welcome to the 30th edition of IMPACT Azerbaijan magazine, Credits dedicated to the "100th anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic". AmCham Executive Director: This year is remarkable for Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis all Natavan Mammadova over the world. We celebrate the centenary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) – the first democratic republic Editor: among Turkic and Muslim world. Hundred years ago, Azerbaijani National Council proclaimed ADR a “fully Aykhan Nasibli sovereign nation consisting of the southern and eastern parts of Transcaucasia under the authority of the Azerbaijani Articles contributed by: people”. Ramiz Garalov Despite of two years of existence, ADR is remembered in the history with equal Sarkhan Babayev suffrage for women, establishment of Baku State University, to be the first modern- Rashid Mammadov type university, which laid a significant foundation for independence of Azerbaijan. Herein, principles of ADR are very much in line with the official agenda of modern Narmina Mamishova Azerbaijan, which is independent, strong and tolerant. As said, “there is no future Yagub Zamanov without a past”. I am glad that we do not forget our nation state building background, David Tsiskaridze but cherish and deepen it. Connecting to the modern day of Azerbaijan, it must be Zaur Akhmedzadeh mentioned that the architecture and vision have been developed by late-President H.E. Heydar Aliyev. This May we commemorate his 95th anniversary! Advertisers: Even more, I truly believe that declaring 2018 as a year of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, is BP welcomed by every single Azerbaijani. Business community also celebrate this with Azerfon different initiatives. This edition of IMPACT Azerbaijan magazine represents a small, Turkish Airlines but a sincere sign of the appraisal of ADR by the Chamber and I do hope you will PRIVE Steak Gallery enjoy reading it. INCI Group of Companies P&G Best regards, SAZZ Natavan Mammadova Coca Cola ITECA Editor’s Comment Dear friends, dear members. Cover page: This May is full of events, celebration of key achievements. From “Founding Fathers of the It is also an important period in the life of IMPACT Azerbaijan Republic” book, Courtesy of BP magazine. Yes, today we are celebrating the 30th edition, Azerbaijan our anniversary! Over the last 30 editions, this magazine built a foundation Publisher: of proud within the business community of Azerbaijan. This was possible by creation of a platform of discussion and American Chamber of Commerce exchange of ideas, know-how, best practices through in- in Azerbaijan volvement of different stakeholders – including higher level governmental officials and knowledge hub of our member Tel: (+994 12) 497 13 33 companies. Fax: (+994 12) 497 10 91 Bearing in mind the nature of this edition, we have an excellent content covering www.amcham.az ADR from historical, political and philanthropist sides. At the same time, our authors www.impact.az contributed with articles touching to different issues interesting for the business community of Azerbaijan. I appreciate for people who really see and enjoy deep value of this publication. Advertising opportunities: It must be also mentioned that this edition could not be developed without financial Please contact the Editor at support of BP, Azerfon, Turkish Airlines, Prive Steak Gallery, INCI – Group of Com- [email protected] panies, P&G, Coca Cola and SAZZ. Even more, energy and commitment provided by the teams of AmCham and IM- The articles in IMPACT Azerbaijan PACT Azerbaijan are really vivid, from design to finance. Enjoy reading, and happy celebrations! express the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the Enjoy reading, position of the American Chamber of Aykhan Nasibli Commerce in Azerbaijan contents IN FOCUS 5 18 Presidential Elections in Azerbaijan- Legal Tech – How it Changes the AmCham Azerbaijan Congratulates Legal Market H.E. ILHAM ALIYEV with Victory! Yagub Zamanov 6 Senior Legal Consultant, PwC Azerbaijan New composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan 20 Digital Skills “Fueling” Transformation of Digital Economy and Future Development of Eastern Partnership 7 Countries Our Founders, by BP David Tsiskaridze Chairman, International Business and Economic Development Center DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION 8 24 Proudly Celebrating Our Rich Access to World Wide Know-how Governance History & Innovations Ramiz Garalov Zaur Akmedzadeh. Head of Technology Transfer and Partner, Capital Legal Services Business Incubation Department, High Technology Park of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences 10 Independent Azerbaijan as Political AMCHAM AZERBAIJAN Inheritor of ADR Established 25 on May 28, 1918 About Us Sarkhan Babayev General Director, DET-AL Aluminum 26 13 Business Events Azerbaijan and the United States: From ADR to Modern Times Rashid Mammadov, Narmina Mamishova 31 AmCham Azerbaijan Committee Highlights MEMBER CONTRIBUTION 16 Special interview with Mr. Tod Burwell President and CEO of BAFT, 35 AmCham Legal Update Bankers’ Association for Finance and Trade 43 AmCham Calendar of Events 2 Issue 30 SMELL MORE WITH THE AIRLINE THAT FLIES TO MORE COUNTRIES THAN ANY OTHER JAPAN in focus Presidential Elections in Azerbaijan- AmCham Azerbaijan Congratulates H.E. ILHAM ALIYEV with Victory! confidence in me, I would remain true to the policy of great leader Heydar Aliyev and would continue this policy. I am proud that the people believed me, supported me, and I, in turn, kept my word. In the past 15 years, comprehensive development has been ensured in Azerbaijan. The main condition here is that we are on the path of the great leader. The path he has chosen is the only correct one, and the history of Azerbaijan’s independence clearly demonstrates that. Over the past 15 years, we have made great strides along this way. The Azerbaijani people have lived in the conditions of security and stability. Over these 15 years, very dangerous processes took place in different regions of the world, in our region, in Europe: bloody clashes, wars, civil wars, coups d’etat. In other words, the last 15 years have been very tense in terms of security. Our people have lived in Azerbaijan in the conditions of security. We have eliminated all internal risks, were able to protect, are protecting and I am sure will continue to protect ourselves from external risks. Over these 15 years, the Azerbaijani people have lived in the conditions of stability. And this is the main precondition for our development. We see that when stability is disrupted, there can be no talk of development. When stability is undermined, outside intervention takes place, countries become uncontrollable, fraternal blood is shed, and the future of countries is called into question. The Azerbaijani people and our policies are the guarantors of stability in Azerbaijan. Therefore, the unity of the people and the government is the key precondition for our success. Azerbaijan today is known as a place of stability, an island of stability on a global scale, and this is our great achievement. On April 11, 2018, Presidential elections were held in Over these 15 years, democratic development has progressed Azerbaijan. Incumbent President H.E. Ilham Aliyev was re- rapidly and all freedoms have been guaranteed in Azerbaijan. elected president for a seven-year term. I believe that these 15 years have been very successful in As re-elected President indicated in his inaugural speech, the terms of democratic development. By deepening political presidential election reflects the will of the Azerbaijani people. reforms, we guaranteed all freedoms – the freedom of speech, The Azerbaijani people have given a high assessment the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, the of the work done and voted for it. They have given their freedom of political activity. Suffice it to say that 80 per cent votes for development, progress, security, and for our of Azerbaijani citizens are Internet users today. The Internet further development. The election has been held fairly is free in Azerbaijan. So our policy related to democratic and transparently. Opinion polls conducted by local and development is correct and ensures our national interests. international organizations prior to the election and the exit We are doing this not to please anyone, but to further deepen polls conducted by international and local organizations on political reforms in Azerbaijan, so that the Azerbaijani people election day coincide with the official election results. This are always in charge of their own destiny, just as they are in shows again that the election reflects the will and the opinion charge of their destiny now, and the election and its results of our people. confirm this once again. In 2003, in my address to the people on the eve of the *The text has been extracted from the speech of H.E. Ilham presidential election, I said that if the people showed their Aliyev, at the inauguration ceremony (18 April, 2018) 5 in focus New composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan Novruz Ismayil oglu Mammadov - Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Yagub Abdulla oglu Eyyubov - First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Javad oglu Ahmadov - Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Shamil oglu Hasanov - Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Hajibala Ibrahim