Within the framework of the visit of the delegation headed by Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius the Azerbaijani-Lithuanian business forum was organized by Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Along with officials, over 100 entrepreneurs engaged in education, construction, finance, ICT, renewable energy, environmental protection, logistics, and other sectors attended the event.
Prior to the business forum, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Algirdas Butkevicius got acquainted with the presentation on the socio-economic successes of Azerbaijan in Baku Business Centre.
Welcoming the guest, the Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev highlighted Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevicius's participation in the World Economic Forum on "Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the South Caucasus and Central Asia" held in Baku. The Minister Shahin Mustafayev emphasized that Azerbaijan attached great importance to cooperation with European Union, including Lithuania. It was noted that the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania successfully developed; the ties between the countries were established on the base of principles of mutual friendship and respect. The importance of the mutual visits of heads of states, the ongoing negotiations in the development of the bilateral relations was highlighted in the forum. Furthermore, it was stressed that, the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission that 2nd session held in April last year in Baku was of particular importance in the development of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Lithuania. The Minister Shahin Mustafayev noted great opportunities for expansion of cooperation in construction, agriculture, ICT, renewable energy, tourism and so on and mutual investment between Azerbaijan and Lithuania. The Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev pointed out that, up to now business forums, exhibitions and business meetings have been held between the two countries, and highlighted constructive impact of today's business meeting on creation of new cooperation opportunities and expansion of the current relations and commercial cooperation and invited the businessmen to active cooperation.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Algirdas Butkevicius expressed his satisfaction over his visit to Azerbaijan, and noted a special role of Azerbaijan in European energy security. The Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius spoke about the economy of Lithuania, stressed the significance of effective use of the economic potential of the two countries, expansion of the relations among the businessmen in the development of economic-commercial relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania. The Prime Minister pointed out the development aspects of economic cooperation and highlighted great opportunities for cooperation in various sectors of economy, especially in ICT, light industry, agriculture, and food industry and so on.
The head of AZPROMO Rufat Mammadov made a presentation on the favorable business and investment climate, and Deputy Head of the Foreign Economic Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Reqimantas Yablonskis made a presentation about economic opportunities of Lithuania.
The business forum was followed by the bilateral meeting between businessmen.