Azersun Holding, notably contributing to the development of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan, enjoyed new successes last year.
In 2014, the year declared by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan as the Year of Industry, Azersun Holding commissioned the Azersun Industrial Park with two large industrial estates on its territory. As a result, the Holding made a considerable contribution to the implementation of this programme. The Cardboard-and-Paper Mill and Oil Factory are in operation in the industrial park, the President of Azerbaijan attended the commissioning ceremony.
The Sumgayit Oil Factory as a part of the Azersun Industrial Park is to manufacture 270,000 tonnes of oil products per annum, including corn, sunflower, melted and chocolate butter, margarine and mayonnaise. Brand-new technology and equipment enable to manufacture not only environmentally clean but also top-quality and highly competitive products. As a result, last year the Oil Factory deserved a high appraisal from the popular fast food chain KFC, which had became its oil partner.
Scrap paper recycling in Azerbaijan was started with the commissioning of the Cardboard-and-Paper Mill in the Azersun Industrial Park. As a result, it prevented cutting of 850,000 pine trees and emitting of 13.5 million cubic meters of hazardous gases into air, and enabled to save 87.5 million litres of oil.
This is not all that can be said about the contribution of the Mill in the Azersun Industrial Park. The Cardboard-and-Paper Mill has been performing postconsumer plastics recycling, which is very important for environmental protection. After recycling postconsumer plastics, which do not decompose or decay, can be used again in different areas and thus prevent a huge harm to the environment.
One of the greatest last year achievements of Azersun Holding, which is promoting Azerbaijan brands in different areas globally, is associated with the name of the Garabagh football club. Highly professional and persistent management by the company’s leadership has produced its results. The team representing Agdam won the title of a national football champion and entered the Europa League. It defeated the distinguished European clubs and once more showed to the world that Garabagh is an integral part of Azerbaijan.
As a result of the purposeful policy of the Government, the economy of Azerbaijan has become export-oriented. Besides, the Head of State of Azerbaijan has developed a special strategic plan to expand the export geography of Azerbaijani goods, where one of the strongly prioritized areas is to help local products reach the Central Asian markets. A logistics center was needed to make this plan a reality. Azersun Holding was entrusted to implement such large-scale project. Last year construction of a logistics center was commenced in Aktau at the initiative of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. As a result, it will create an effective and convenient way for products manufactured in Azerbaijan to the markets of Central Asia. It stands to mention that at present the Azerbaijan specialists from Azersun Holding are performing all technical work for the logistics center, which is now under construction, at fast pace.
Declaring the year 2015 as the Year of Agriculture by the President of Azerbaijan will boost a steady growth of the export potential of Azerbaijan and draw the keenest interest to the development of the industry. In 2015 Azersun Holding plans opening of a new feed factory in Imishli city. Its capacity will be two times higher than that of the previous factory. The new factory will employ hundreds of people.
In 2015 Azersun Holding is also to start manufacturing commercial chocolate. In this way, local producers of different chocolate brands will be able to receive high-quality raw material from Azersun Holding.
If originally the objective for Azersun Holding was to ensure food security domestically, now, when the local market is oversaturated, the products under the brand ‘Made in Azerbaijan’ are already supplied to world markets. At present, Azersun Holding sells products in China, Central Asia, Arab countries, CIS, Europe and USA. In the nearest future the company is going to open a sales office in Cologne, Germany, which will enable to increase sales in the European market. The logistics centre in Aktau will create favourable conditions for Azersun Holding’s products to reach the Asian markets.
Azersun Holding’s philosophy of quality is the key reason for expanding from year to year sales geography and the high appraisal of foreign consumers. The quality of products enables to compete with industry-leading brands in any market.
The central lab, where Azersun Holding contributed large investments, also served this target. The laboratory, which received international accreditation last year, does surveys and the quality of products is under its full control. All this helps to build trust of consumers both in the domestic and foreign markets.
Azersun Holding pays much attention to the First European Games to be hosted in Baku this summer. The company has signed the Official Supporter contract with the Baku 2015 European Games Operation Committee. Under the contract, Azersun Holding is to give official support to the European Games. Azersun Holding-owned Bazarstore supermarket chain will offer all services in retail sales and merchandising, while Azercay will give official support and supply with tea. During the games Baku will welcome a number of foreign tourists. They will enjoy the opportunity to get acquainted with local products. The most favourable conditions will be created to demonstrate Azerbaijan products to lots of foreign guests.
