BY 2030 ALMOST 30% OF THE WORLD ENERGY DEMANDS WILL BE COVERED IN ACCOUNT OF THE NATURAL GAS
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
By 2030 natural gas will satisfy almost 30% of the world energy demands. The Minster of Oil and Energy of Norway Mr. Eynar Steensnes has expressed such opinion on the International Energy forum held in Amsterdam.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Possibly Volkswagen will organize the mounting production in Gyanja on a base of car plant, which was not constructed completely. The Deputy Chief of the administration of town Gyanja Mr. Ilham Aliyev has informed about this. By his words, already this year signing of agreement on mounting small lorries should take place.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
By data of the National Bank of Azerbaijan (NBA) a total of credits allocated to the economy of the country made 3.656 trln manats (4912 manats - $1).
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
By May 1, 2004 the authorized capital (AC) of banks operating in Azerbaijan made 732.5 bn manats (4912 manats - $1). From this total, as it was informed in the National bank of Azerbaijan, 81 bn manats makes the AC of the state banks and 651.5 bn manats - private banks. In comparison with the analogous period of the past year the authorized capital of banks grew by 15.8%.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
A volume of means and deposits attracted by the Azerbaijan banks made 3.74 trln manats (4912 manats - $1) by May 1, 2004. In comparison with January of the current year this rate grew by 13.3%.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
By May 1 of the current year a volume of monetary mass turnover made 2.661 trln manats (4912 manats - $1). Media-Press has been informed in the press service of the National Bank of Azerbaijan about this.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
On May 25 the reporter on the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, the deputy of the PAEC from the Great Britain Mr. Terri Davis spoke out at the sitting of the Political Committee of the PAEC. However, instead of expected reporter Mr. T. Davis informed that he will speak out with the extended report at the sitting of the Political Committee before the June session of the Assembly. By his words, after the visit to Azerbaijan and Nagorni Karabakh the report was ready, however significant shifts have emerged and for this reason a necessity of revision of the report has emerged. He has noted as well that after these shifts he thinks more optimistically on the adjustment of the conflict.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Today the Chief of the Committee of the Armed Forces of the US Congress Mr. Curt Weldon arrives in Baku.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Since October of the past year 30 thou new job places were created in Azerbaijan. The Minister of the economic development of Azerbaijan Mr. Farkhad Aliyev has informed about this.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Today the conference devoted to the realization of the state program "Reduction of Poverty and Economic Development of Azerbaijan". Officials of the government, diplomatic missions accredited in Azerbaijan, the UN, the WB took part in it.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
For construction and reconstruction of main car roads of Azerbaijan $800 MM are required. This total was called in result of researching technical conditions of road network of the country, the Minister of Transport Mr Ziya Mamedov has said.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Iran has allocated $2 MM for the preparation of the feasibility report of the project of the construction of the road Baku - Astara. The Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan Mr Ziya Mamedov has informed journalists about this.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Tehran is interested in the soonest realization of the project of the construction of railway between Iran and Azerbaijan with the Russian sharing". The Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport of Iran Mr. Mohammad Saidnejad has said this in exclusive interview to ITAR-TASS.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Kazakhstan intends to deliver its oil by the Iranian route to the Persian Gulf and considers this route as the main one for exportation of its natural resources. The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has declared in interview to the English periodical "The Financial Times".
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The National Iranian Gas-Export company NIGEC and the state pipeline company of Turkey BOTAS intend to apply to the international court of arbitration for reduction of price for gas imported by Turkey from Iran. The information published on the site of the Turkish analytical company IBS tells about this.
BAKU.26.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Yesterday the former President of the Turkish State Pipeline Company BOTAS Mr. Gekhan Yardim (Gokhan Yardim) was arrested. The correspondent of Media-Press has informed about this with a reference to the newspaper Turkish Daily News.
"By 2030 the gas consumption in the world may be increased in two times and up to 30% world demands in energy will be covered in account of the natural gas", - he has said. "It is expected that already in the next years gas will be second main energetic source, - the Minister has said. - The most rapid growth of consumption is expected in China and Latin America, meanwhile the North America, Russia and Europe in 30 years since today will remain the largest gas markets". "A cause of this growth is evident: competition prices affect on prices for gas and it is extremely comfortable for both industrial and domestic consumption as well electric energy production", - the Norwegian Minister has added.
He has noted that there are sufficient gas supplies in the world for satisfaction of the next demands. Mr. Steensnes has emphasized a necessity of timely investments to gas field. He has informed that by estimates of the IEA, a total of annual investments to gas field should make $105 during the period up to 2030.
VOLKSWAGEN WILL BE MOUNTED POSSIBLY IN AZERBAIJAN
"Already in autumn the production of cars on this plant may start; the plant was constructed in the end of 80-s by the German technologies and was ready by 90%, however for the collapse of the USSR has not been completed still", - Mr. Aliyev has said.
Meanwhile, by the words of the official of Volkswagen, to date the management of the company considers offer of one dealer in Azerbaijan on start of mounting production however it will not car plant in full mention. "We study, whether it is necessary to deliver car mounting complexes and how should it be done. This is only a matter of conditions. We do not expect that studying of this issue will bring some results earlier than in the end of 2004", - he has said.
The production of lorries "Volkswagen" on capacities of the Azerbaijan plant would require modernization of technologies and importing a half of details for mounting of machines. The Azerbaijan specialists estimate investments to this venture by $10 - $15 MM, Reuters informs.
CREDITS BY 3.66 TRLN MANATS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE ECONOMY OF AZERBAIJAN
As Media-Press has been informed in the NBA, credits by a total of 2.543 trln manats are short termed and ones by 1.113 trln manats - long-termed. A share of the state banks made 1.686 trln manats of credits; means of private banks made 1.578 trln manats and means of non-bank credit organizations make 391.9 manats. Only a third part of credits was allocated in the national currency and the rest in the foreign.
A volume of credit allocations to different economic fields looks as following: 21.45% of credits were allocated to trade and service field; 13.85% - to development of transport and communication; 7.71% - energy and development of natural resources; 5.14% - agricultural sector; 7.26% - light and heavy industry; 6.06% - construction; credits to physical persons made 27.81%; credit allocation to the state administration - 5.6%.
76.89% of all allocated credits were transferred to the private sector of the economy.
THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL OF BANKS IN AZERBAIJAN MADE 732.5 BN MANATS
The AC of banks with sharing of the foreign capital made 277.3 bn manats or 38.3% of all AC of all banks. Banks with 100% foreign capital have the authorized fund by a volume of 84.9 bn manats and this makes 11.7% of the AC of all banks. In average, 17 bn manats make the AC of each bank.
By May 1, 2004 43 banks operated in Azerbaijan. 16 of them are with the foreign sharing, and a share of foreign capital in 4 of them varies from 50 up to 100%; in 11 of them - less than 50% and there is one branch of the bank-nonresident.
BY STATE FOR MAY 1 BANKS OF AZERBAIJAN ATTRACTED 3.74 TRLN MANATS
Deposits in the national currency made 788.6 bn manats from this total, 2.951 trln manats (78.9%) - in the foreign currency.
Deposits of physical persons in banks made 1.466 trln manats, 1.353 trln manats of them are in the foreign currency. Deposits of the juridical persons made 2.274 trln manats (1.598 trln in currency).
IN AZERBAIJAN A VOLUME OF MONETARY MASS IN TURNOVER MADE 2.661 TRLN MANATS
1.872 trln manats of this volume make cash means, 788.6 bn manats are cashless.
HEARINGS OF THE REPORT OF THE PAEC ON NAGORNI KARABAKH HAS BEEN POSTPONED UP TO JUNE
By the information from the diplomatic circles, the Azerbaijan delegation has remained dissatisfied by the information of Mr. T. Davis as there is not main thing in the preliminary version of his report - recognition of the fact of occupation of the Azerbaijan territories by Armenia.
The Chief of the Azerbaijan delegation in the PAEC Mr. Samed Seyidov has declared already that the preliminary version of the report of Mr. T. Davis remains the wide field for maneuver for sides of the conflict during the June session of the PAEC.
TODAY THE CHIEF OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE US CONGRESS MR. CURT WELDON ARRIVES IN BAKU
Opinions exchange on development of relations between legislative organs of Azerbaijan and the USA is a goal of his arrival. Mr. Curt Weldon will meet with the chiefs of Milli Mejlis (the Parliament of Azerbaijan).
30 THOU JOB PLACES HAVE BEEN CREATED SINCE OCTOBER OF THE PAST YEAR
Earlier the Minister said that up to the end of 2004 85 thou new job places should be created. This rate was received on a base of poll of businessmen, which plan creation of production capacities ensuring 45 thou job places. Else 40 thou job places will be created at a support of the state.
Particularly, in regions the job places will appear in account of creation of the networks of the enterprises of agricultural service, development of the infrastructure, construction of electric power stations and roads.
As Mr. F. Aliyev has noted, one of the goals of the state program of the social-economic development of the regions for the period up to 2008 - is redirecting of investment flow from the center to province. "This is prediction, - the Minister has noted, - however a reality may differ. So we shall strictly watch for this process".
THE CONFERENCE DEVOTED REALIZATION OF THE STATE PROGRAM "REDUCTION OF POVERTY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AZERBAIJAN"
The Minister of the Economic Development Mr. Farhad Aliyev has noted that poverty problem exists in 70 countries including the CIS' ones. Up to date 2.8 bn persons have daily income of $2 and 1.2 bn ones - even - less than $1. From each 100 born kids six ones do not live up to age of 1 year and eight children - up to five years. From each 100 children of the scholar age 23 ones can not get although primary education.
By the words of the Minister the poverty problem in Azerbaijan has its specifics. Violation and destroying of usual economic relations after collapse of the USSR, the Nagorni Karabakh problem - this everything have brought to sharp fall in the GDP, staying idle of large industrial enterprises. The economic growth began only after 1994. At the same time the problem of poverty has appeared and the relevant state program must solve this problem complexly.
Mr. F. Aliyev has noted that the program "Reduction of Poverty and Economic Development of Azerbaijan" unites six strategic goals. They are strengthening of macroeconomic stability, creation of opportunities for increasing incomes of the population, communal reforms, improvement of education and medical quality, social protection of the population as well as conditions of life of refugees and forced migrants.
The further development of the economy of the country should be necessary for solving these objectives. By results of the past year the growth of the GDP made 11.2% is the highest rate since 1996. The inflation was at a level of 2.2%. For ten years $17.5 bn were invested to the economy and $12.5 bn is the foreign capital. An average salary achieved 383.1 thou manats.
At the same time taking into account that in regions problems of unemployment, infrastructure conditions, education and health level stand mostly sharply, on February of this year as well else one state program "Economic Development of the Azerbaijan Regions for 2004 - 2008" was accepted. Owing to the realization 600 thou working places will be created. For development and support of business 250 bn manats will be allocated from the state budget in 2003 - 2005. Credits are allocated mainly for the realization of the projects in the regions of Azerbaijan.
As well improvement of infrastructure is one of the most objectives in reduction of poverty. Fruitful cooperation with the international organizations is gone in this direction. A number of projects on the construction of roads, irrigation canals, improvement of water supplying is realized.
The Minister has reminded as well that if by the information of the WB, in 1996 61% of the population of the country was out of poverty level meanwhile in 2001 this rate made 49%. In 2003 it reduced up to 44.7% owing to taken measures.
$800 MM ARE REQUIRED FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF MAIN ROADS OF AZERBAIJAN
By his words, within the projecft "The Great Silk Way" roads are separated in segments. The segment Baku - Alyat is constructed in account of the proper means of the republic. The road Alyat - Gazi-Magomed has been put into operation. The ERDB is agreed on allocation of credit for the construction of the road Gazi-Magomed - Kyurdamir. An agreement on the construction of the road Yevlakh - Udjar has been signed with the Islamic Development Bank by a total of $22 MM. As well it is planned to construct roads Yevlakh - Gyanja and Gyanja - Gazakh.
By the opinion of the Minister, if finance means are allocated timely for these projects, by 2007 all main car roads in Azerbaijan will correspond to the international standards. Mr. Ziya Mamedov has informed as well that 30 bn manats have bee allocated from the state budget for the reconstruction of the road Baku - Sumgayit.
IRAN HAS ALLOCATED $2 MM FOR PREPARATION OF THE FEASIBILITY REPORT OF THE PROJECT OF THE ROAD BAKU - ASTARA
By his words, means were transferred to accounts of the Embassy of the IRI in Azerbaijan. As well a list of companies, which will prepare the FR has been submitted. In its turn the Azerbaijan side prepares to announce the relevant tender. By the words of the Minister, as Iran allocates main means for the realization of the project, the Iranian companies will take part in the tender.
Iran will allocate totally $40 MM for the construction of the road Baku - Astara. The new road will allow increasing transport and cargo flows, the goods turnover between both the countries. At the present time a volume of cargos going through Astara (on the frontier with Iran) makes more 1 MM tons per annum.
TEHRAN IS INTERESTED IN SHARING OF RUSSIA IN THE PROJECT OF THE RAILWAY IRAN - AZERBAIJAN
As it is known, at the meeting held in the past week in Moscow the Ministers of Transport of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran agreed on foundation of the consortium on the construction of railway branch Kazvin (Iran) - Astara (Azerbaijan), which will connect these countries and become the most important component of the international transport corridor North - South.
Realization of this plan would promote to restoration, of communication between Russia and Iran, other European countries, Mr. Saidnejad thinks. This line, he has reminded, "actively operated up to 90-s, and then a volume of cargo activities between both countries achieved almost 3 MM tons.
Mr. Saidnejad has said that the calculations of the Iranian specialists confirm, "interregional transportation in this direction may bring significant earnings to all participants of the consortium". He has not excluded possibilities of joining of other regions interested in creation of the international transport route "North - South" to the project. "This route, - the Deputy Minister believes, is more economic and reliable from the view of safety ensuring than marine and other land versions of transportation".
The decision on place of office of the consortium will be taken on the meeting in Baku. By available information, realization of the project on the construction of new railway Iran - Azerbaijan within frameworks of transport corridor North - South may begin in 2005. Agreements on the construction of the road were achieved on April during the visit of direction of "The Russian Railways" to Iran. Russia has expressed the will to share in the projecting and construction of this road, what will allow it attraction of additional transit cargo flows. Within frameworks of the project by a cost of $177 MM, a reconstruction of the railway, which passes through Azerbaijan to the Iranian transport cross point Kazvin. A length of the line is 350 km.
MR. N. NAZARABAYEV: RELATIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN MAKE THE EXPORT OF THE KAZAKHSTAN OIL THROUGH IRAN MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE
By his words, the Iranian route from the point of view of the export of the Kazakhstan oil is possibly more "attractive" both for Kazakhstan and the American companies operating in this country.
Calling trends by which oil deliveries may be carried out from Kazakhstan including the pipeline Baku - Ceyhan, the Chinese route as well as the Russian, Mr. N. Nazarbayev has noted that the Iranian route may be considered the best. However, the Kazakhstan leader has noted that the present relations between Iran and USA make the realization of similar project impossible, "Iran News" informs.
WILL THE CONDITIONS OF THE TURKISH-IRANIAN GAS AGREEMENT BE CONSIDERED IN THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF ARBITRATION?
In accordance with this information, NIGEC refuses of satisfaction of request of BOTAS on changing conditions of the contract and regular revision of prices for delivered Iranian gas. Moreover, BOTAS insists on revision of one of the main point of the contract - "take or pay". As the site IBS informs, Ankara has informed the official Tehran about its intensions and during a month should choose international arbitrators.
Meanwhile, as "Petroenergy" informs, the Minister of Oil of Iran Mr. Bijan Namdar Zangane has threatened to give an action against Turkey in a case of breaking of negotiations for prices for gas delivered from Iran to Turkey. By the words of officials of Tehran, Ankara tries to speculate on non-coordinated actions between Russia and Iran in gas policy.
Earlier the Deputy Minister of Oil of Iran Mr. Mohammad Malaki has announced that fixed price is provided in the agreement of the Iranian natural gas deliveries to Turkey and should not revised up to the end of 2004. And the Executive Director of the National Gas Exporting Company Mr. Ruhoddin Javadi has informed that Tehran has rejected the demand of Ankara on reduction of prices for the natural gas being delivered from Iran to Turkey. "Demands of the Turkish side on reduction of the price break conditions of the contract signed two years ago", - he has noted.
In 2003 Iran has delivered 3.5 bn cubic meters of gas to Turkey. In 2004 it is planned to increase volumes of deliveries up to 8.3 bn cubic meters of gas.
THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE PIPELINE COMPANY OF BOTAS MR. GEKHAN YARDIM HAS BEEN ARRESTED
Mr. Gekhan Yardim is claimed in reception of bribes within the Russian-Turkish project "Blue Stream", the history of the realization of which is abundant by numerous scandals. As Media-Press informed repeatedly for three last years the law-enforcement organs of Turkey conduct the operation "White Energy", within of which about 20 officials of the fuel-energetic complex of Turkey have been arrested. The former President of BOTAS has been mentioned repeatedly as a potential figurant in this matter. Police arrested him yesterday after one of officials of the bank, where Mr. Gekhan Yardim saves his money, Mr. Derya Ertugrul agreed on rendering assistance to investigation.
He together with four other officials of BOTAS is claimed in reduction of prices for execution of works on laying segment of the pipeline connecting Samsun and Ankara and necessary for gas exportation within frameworks of the project "The Blue Stream".
