4th meeting of Azerbaijan-Japan state commission held

The sitting was addressed by deputy Prime Minister, co-chair of the State Commission Abid Sharifov, vice-president of the Itochu Corporation Yokoa Akira, ambassador of Japan to Azerbaijan Tadahiro Abe, deputy director general of the department of trade policy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihisa Takata.

It was noted that official visits of national leader Heydar Aliyev to Japan in February 1998 and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in March this year played a key role in creating ties between the two countries. Itochu, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubushi currently operate in Azerbaijan. A number of companies participate in the oil contracts (Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli, Dan Ulduzu-Ashrafi, Atashgah, Yanan Tava, Mugan Deniz).

The speakers also touched on the joint projects and assistance that the government of Japan has rendered since 1998 through the Japan International Cooperation Agency as a part of the Official Development Assistance. The amount of loans allocated to Azerbaijan totals $700,3 million.

Up to date, the government of Japan has granted 2570 million yens ($23,68 million) to increase agricultural production in Azerbaijan. Since 1996, a grant of $69 million has been set aside to Azerbaijan under the ODA.

In his report, deputy Economic Development Minister Mikail Jabbarov gave an insight into the economy of Azerbaijan, touched on the economic reforms, actions taken by the government to reduce poverty, state investments and other issues.

The report highlighted possible directions of cooperation between the two countries and made concrete proposals.

The protocol of the fourth joint meeting of the Azerbaijan-Japan state commission was signed. The document was signed by Abid Sharifov and Yokota Akira. AzerTAg