Aliyev Promotes Azerbaijan as Global Connectivity Hub at Investment Forum

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku, positioning the South Caucasus as a pillar of global connectivity and investment stability. Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan's strategic role as a gateway between Asia and Europe via the Middle Corridor and the emerging Zangezur Corridor. He reported that the non-oil sector reached 72% of GDP in 2025 and noted that Fitch Ratings and Moody's Ratings upgraded the nation's sovereign credit ratings to investment grade, supported by currency reserves exceeding 110% of GDP.

While Aliyev stated that oil and gas will continue to dominate the economy to generate wealth for reinvestment, he invited international partners to invest in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and green energy corridors. He specifically pointed to the Alat Free Economic Zone and public-private partnerships as foundational tools for this cooperation. Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov added that the National Development Strategy through 2030 will prioritize private-sector-led diversification in industrial production and services.

International stakeholders emphasized the need for structural evolution. Nataly Mouravidze of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development noted that Azerbaijan is transforming industrial zones into comprehensive economic ecosystems. Desislava Radeva of Standard Chartered advocated for the development of capital markets and potential dual-listing opportunities between the Baku Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, Deputy Minister Samad Bashirli invited German companies to engage in joint production and technology transfer projects following a strategic bilateral agenda established in July.