SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 614.1 THOU TONS OF OIL HAVE BEEN PRODUCED
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The joint companies (JC) and operating companies (OC) developing onshore fields of Azerbaijan produced 614.1 thou tons of oil for January - August of 2004 and this is by 23% more than it was forecasted.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (the SOCAR) has announced the tender on sales of the first October party of the Azerbaijan oil unloaded from the port Novorossiisk, the agency "Interfax-Azerbaijan" has been informed in the Marketing and Economic Relations Department of the SOCAR. A volume of mentioned party makes 135 thou tons and on October 15 - 16 it should be shipped in accordance with a schedule.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: On August 358.9 MM cubic meters of gas were delivered to the state. 284.4 MM cubic meters of them made a share of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, 2.6 MM cubic meters made a share of the joint companies and 73.3 MM cubic meters made a share of the Azerbaijan Operating Company (AIOC), which transmits free of charge casing-head gas produced at development of the fields "Azeri - Chiraq - Guneshli'.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: After the reconstruction the oil-bulk moorings in the Kazakhstan port Aktau have received the first large deadweight tankers. Now here ships of deadweight by 12 thou tons may be received. By the words of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Kazakhstan Mr. Vladimir Shkolnik, putting into operation of two terminals equipped in accordance with the international standards, has become "important element of development of infrastructure" maintaining increasing of oil production in Kazakhstan.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: On Ukraine gas field, lower horizons of which will supplement the Ukrainian gas supplies up to 100 bn cubic meters has been opened. The Chief of Management of the National Joint Company "Naftogaz Ukraini" Mr. Yuri Boyko has informed, ukroil. com reports.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Presently the oil world market is overfilled by 1.5 MM bbl per diem and reduction of prices on oil futures is an evidence of reduction of troubles on possible interruptions in deliveries, the President of the OPEC Mr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro thinks.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan opposes to reduction of income tax rate, the agency "Interfax-Azerbaijan" has been informed in the Cabinet.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan increased tax and duties gatherings by 27.7% - up to 810.49 bn manats.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Azerbaijan Railway plans keeping of transit deliveries of oil and oil products of 2004 at a level of the past year, the Deputy Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan Mr. Musa Panakhov has informed journalists.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan has started negotiations with the European finance structures on attraction of credits on purchasing of four aircrafts Airbus A-319, the agency "Interfax-Azerbaijan" has been informed in the Ministry of Transport.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: A course of realization of the project "Main Roads of Azerbaijan" is an objective of the forthcoming visit of the Mission of the WB to the country; the WB has allocated $40 MM to the country for these purposes. The credit was allocated via the IDA.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Tomorrow in the town Lyankaran on the south of Azerbaijan with participation of local and foreign businessmen and officials of the international organization business-forum will be held. Officials of banks, having a right of using means of the National Fund of Business Support for crediting businessmen will take part into forum. Attraction of investments to the region, development of private business and effective using of economic opportunities of the southern zone of Azerbaijan are objectives of the forum. The meeting is conducted within frameworks of the State Program of the social-economic development of regions, officials of the Ministry of Economic Development have informed Media-Press.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Mission of the World Bank is in Baku for familiarizing with realization of 10-year program on reforming in educational system of Azerbaijan. Media-Press has been informed about this in the Baku WB Office.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The tenth international construction exhibition "Baku Build - 2004" will be opened on September 22 in Baku. The British Exhibition company ITE Group PLC and its partner in Azerbaijan Iteca Caspian Ltd. have organized it.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Mamedyarov will take part in the annual session of the General Assembly of the UNO in New-York in the end of September.
BAKU.06.09.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The MFA of Azerbaijan conducts negotiations with officials of the NATO in Brussels in connection with participation of the Armenian servicemen in maneuvers of the NATO in Baku.
For the mentioned period the JC and OC delivered 577.3 thou tons of oil to the state and this exceeded planned rates by 17% and the analogous rate of 2003 by 6.1% (544 thou tons in 2003).
Gas production on onshore fields for January - August made 83.6 MM cubic meters and this is by 39.3% higher than planned rates and by 14.8% higher than rates of January - August of 2003. The state delivered 41.4 MM cubic meters to the state or by 27.7% less than it was planned.
Two OC operate on the onshore fields of Azerbaijan - Karasu Operating Company (the block "Mishovdag - Kelametdin") and Salyan Oil (the block "Kyursangi - Garabagli") and also three JC - the Azerbaijan-German AzGerNeft (the field "Ramani"), the Azerbaijan-British Shirvan Oil (the field "Kyrovdag" and the Azerbaijan-Turkish Anshad Petrol (the block "Netchala - Khilli Durovdag").
THE SOCAR HAS ANNOUNCED A TENDER ON PURCHASING OF THE FIRST OCTOBER PARTY OF OIL
A total volume of export of oil of the SOCAR for 2004 should make 2.5 MM tons and this corresponds to a level of 2003.
358.9 MM CUBIC METERS OF GAS WERE DELIVERED TO THE STATE ON AUGUST
354.6 MM cubic meters of gas from total volume were delivered to the system of the JC "Azerigaz" and this is by 5.2% more than it was planned. The rest by 4.3 MM cubic meters were delivered to the Azerbaijan Gas Processing Plant. This is by 34.8% less than it was planned. Totally "Azerigaz" received 1.995 bn cubic meters of gas and the AzGPP - 809.3 MM cubic meters.
Azerbaijan needs in up to 10 - 12 bn cubic meters of gas annually. In the past year Azerbaijan purchased 4 bn cubic meters of "blue fuel" from the international group of companies "Itera". This year "Gazprom" replaced "Itera" and plans to deliver 2.75 bn cubic meters of the natural gas to Azerbaijan. Recently else one agreement between the SOCAR and the CJC "KazRosGaz" has been signed on deliveries by 4.5 bn cubic meters of gas.The CJC "KazRosGaz" started the gas deliveries since January of the current year. For January - February Azerbaijan has imported already almost 1 bn cubic meters of gas from Kazakhstan. The SOCAR purchases the Kazakhstan gas for $52 per 1 thou cubic meter. The annual import gas demand of the Azerbaijan market makes about 6 bn cubic meters.
The republic will receive the subsidiary volumes of gas also since within the frameworks of the project of extension of the Sangachal oil terminal the gas drying installation will be installed. Today all oil delivered to the terminal is separated from water and gas. Received gas is liquated. The construction of new installation would not allow liquating gas, but delivering it to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, which in its turn will deliver it to consumers. Gas will be burned in flames only in emergencies. For realization of this idea the SOCAR also plans to build special gas receiving installation and the pipeline up to the Sangachal gas distribution point.
AFTER RECONSTRUCTION OIL-BULK MOORINGS OF THE KAZAKHSTAN PORT AKTAU HAVE RECEIVED THE FIRST LARGE DEADWEIGHT TANKERS
"By 2015 above 150 MM tons of oil should be produced in Kazakhstan; a sea transportation to the world market is very important", - the Minister has emphasized. The new terminals will increase capacity of the port in Aktau up to 12 tons of oil per annum.
On September 3 the Russian tanker "Mechanik Chepuridze" became the first ship, which moored for shipment. In the next time the Kazakhstan ships will appear her. The first Kazakhstan tanker by deadweight of 12 thou was launched from the Viborg Ship Making Plant on August 5 and will appear in Aktau on October; the second tanker will be constructed by May, 2005. By the words of Mr. Shkolnik, it is planned that in future the Kazakhstan fleet will transport up to 20 MM tons of oil per annum - to Makhackala, Baku (for oil pipeline Baku - Tbilsi - Ceyhan) and the Iranian ports.
GAS FIELD HAS BEEN REVEALED IN UKRAINE
By his opinion, the field may produce 4 bn cubic meters of gas per annum. The field is situated in the Kharkov Region.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE OPEC THINKS THAT THE OIL MARKET IS OVERFILLED BY 1.5 MM BBL/D
As the agency Bloomberg informs, the President of the OPEC has paid attention on the fact that the presently the market expects decisions directed to stabilization of situation in Iraq and as well as adjustment of stabilization of situation of the situation in Iraq as well of the conflict with the oil company "YUKOS" - the largest Russian oil exporter by the government of the RF.
Mr. P. Yusgiantoro has refused to tell, whether the OPEC, delivering one third of volumes of world crude, to increase quotas on oil production. Before taking a decision, members of organization will estimate the situation on the market, he has said.
As officials of the OPEC declared on the past week, on the forthcoming conference on September 15, the cartel may increase production quotas for providing sufficient level of supplies in the USA and Europe in winter. On August, by data of Bloomberg, production of the OPEC made 29.92 MM bbl of oil per diem at existing quota in 26 MM bbl.
As the agency Bloomberg reports, on Friday a price for October future contracts on the NYMEX shut down on a point of $43.99 per bbl and this is by 11% lower than on August 20 when prices reached historical maximum of $49.40 per bbl.
THE MINISTRY OF TAXES OF AZERBAIJAN OPPOSES TO REDUCTION OF INCOME TAX RATE
To date this rate makes 24%. "A number of members of the Cabinet, particularly officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development offer reducing of income tax rate up to 22 - 23%. The Ministry of Finance opposes to a reduction of this rate at all", - the source in the government has said. By his words, finance organs are calculating losses form possible reduction of income tax rate and compensation sources.
As it has been informed earlier, the government of Azerbaijan plans reduction of income tax rate from 24% up to 22%. "At the present time the government conducts consultations with Ministries and departments on this issue", - official of the government has informed the agency "Interfax-Azerbaijan" about this. He has emphasized that reduction of this rate up to 22% since 2005 is really enough and the government is a supporter of reduction of tax load".
For 2004 plan orders on gatherings of income tax have been determined for the Ministry of Taxes at a level of 1 trln 072 bn manats or 14.2% of all budget incomes. (A rate of exchange by September 6 makes 4905 manats/$1).
CUSTOMS ORGANS OF AZERBAIJAN INCREASED GATHERINGS BY 28% FOR 8 MONTHS
For 8 months gatherings of taxes and duties exceeded forecasted rate for this period by 9.3% or almost by 68.81 bn manats. (4905 manats/$1)
AZERBAIJAN WILL KEEP THE VOLUME OF TRANSIT DELIVERIES OF OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS VIA RAILWAY ON A LEVEL OF 2003
In the past year a volume of transit transportation of oil and oil products via the railway transport in Azerbaijan made 14 MM tons.
Mr. M. Panakhov has noted that since the beginning of the current year average month volume of transit railway transportation of oil and oil products in the republic delays from the past year rates by 400 - 500 thou tons approximately. However, in autumn and winter of 2004 the ARW expects growth in volumes of deliveries of these cargos.
Exacerbation of political situation in Adjaria has become a main cause of reduction of oil transit by the AzRW in the current year and oil transshipment terminal in the port of Batumi was closed twice for this reason.
The AzRW carries out transit transportation of oil from Kazakstan and Turkmenistan.
AZERBAIJAN NEGOTIATES ON ATTRACTION OF CREDIT ON PURCHASING OF FOUR AIRCRAFTS A-319
The negotiations are conducted with banks of Germany and France. Expectedly credit agreement will be signed in the next time. Official of the MT has added that Azerbaijan accounts attraction of the credit by 130 - 140 MM evro.
As it has been informed, preliminary agreement with the concern Airbus on purchasing of four aircrafts was achieved during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliev to Germany on August 24 - 26. The state concern "The Azerbaijan Airlines" will operate the new aircrafts.
EXPERTS OF THE WB WILL FAMILIARIZE WITH THE REALIZATION OF THE PROJECT "MAIN ROADS OF AZERBAIJAN"
As Media-Press has been informed, the project provides the construction of the modern road Gynja - Gazakh with a length of 93 km, which is the part of the main road from Baku up to the frontier of Georgia. During the realization of the project extension of the road, improvement of draining system and installation of signal and information signs will be carried out. Besides, within frameworks of the project a structure of the state concern "Azeravtoil" managing total roads network of the country, its technical supplying, staff training should be improved and road safety plan should be prepared.
The project is carried out in two stages. On the first one 3 km piece of the road Gyanja - Shamkir should be reconstructed. The works her are conducted by the Turkish Company Turan & Hazinadaroglu.
The second stage provides the restoration of 73 km road Shamkir - Gazakh. The Ministry of the Transport of Azerbaijan already has announced the tender for the operator of this part of the project, which should be carried out for 18 months.
The cost of the project makes $48 MM and $40 MM is the credit of the International Development Association, $6.5 MM make proper means of Azerbaijan and the Program of the European Union TACIS have allocated $1.5 MM. The Agreement was signed on June 2001 for a term of four years. The WB has allocated the credit for 35 years under rates of interest of 0.75%.
BUSINESS-FORUM WITH PARTICIPATION OF THE LOCAL AND FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN WILL BE HELD IN LYANKARAN
This program is accounted for 2004 - 2008 and provides foundation of 600 thou places for this period. All the territory of Azerbaijan has been divided in 10 economic areas within frameworks of realization of this program.
A necessity of development of regions of Azerbaijan has been caused by that the economic potential of the country is mainly in the capital. So transfers of regions make only 15% in the state budget earnings and a share of regions in direct investments makes only 20%. Realization of the State Program of the development of the province may help in solving of such problems as restoration of nonworking enterprises and creation of new job places, improvement of social and communal spheres, creation of conditions for development of business and attraction of foreign investments to the regions.
In accordance with the State Program of the social-economic development of regions of Azerbaijan for 2004 - 2008 a volume of the GDP will make 76.3 trln manats by the end of this period, that is will increase in 2.3 in comparison with 2003. The production of the GDP per capita will make $1.578 thou; a share of the private sector into the GDP will grow up to 85%.
The National Fund of Business Support plays significant role in the development of business in Azerbaijan and development of regions of our country. In the past year 50 bn manats were allocated from the Fund to businessmen. These means were delivered for financing of 273 business projects in 49 towns and regions of the country and 80% of financed projects were realized outside of the capital. At choosing of the projects for the further financing, ones, which provided production of processing, were preferred.
This year 100 bn manats should be allocated from the state budget for business support. And in 2005 this value will grow up to 250 bn manats. In previous five years 13 bn manats were allocated annually to this field (totally 65 bn manats) and were 6 bn manats were used for all this period.
On September 6 a rate of exchange makes 4905 - $1.
THE MISSION OF THE WB WILL FAMILIARIZE WITH REALIZATION OF 10 YEAR PROGRAM OF REFORMING OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN AZERBAIJAN
Ten year program (2003 - 2013) on reforming of educational system of Azerbaijan provides high-quality improvement of the educational system, modernization of teaching programs for senior classes and issue of new text-books, training and improvement of quaification of teachers, logistics base of the field. A cost of the project is $60 MM. Its realization will be carried out in three stages and accordingly, investments of the WB will consist of three tranches. The first stage: 2003 - 2007, the second - 2007 - 2010 and the last one - 2010 - 2013.
On February of the past year the Mission of the WB on education visited to Baku and worked on determination of budget of each project component jointly with the working group. As well mechanism of the project management was developed. The first tranche of the WB credit by $18 MM was allocated on September of 2003.
This is already the second project of the WB on reforming of the educational system of Azerbaijan. The first agreement on this issue between the WB and Azerbaijan was signed on June of 1999. It provided improvement of teaching programs and methods and improvement of teaching staff.
The project was completed in the end of 2003; its cost has made $5.5 MM and the government of the country has allocated $500 thou.
THE TENTH INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION EXHIBITION "BAKU BUILD-2004" WILL BE HELD IN BAKU
A great number of foreign companies will take part in the exhibition and they exhibit the most modern achievements in the field, new construction and decoration materials, equipment, domestic production, conditioning and heating systems, etc.
Within frameworks of the exhibition conduction of round tables, seminars and presentations are planned also.
In 2003 above 120 companies from 122 countries of the world took part in the analogous exhibition. About 200 companies from 30 countries of the world will operate on "BakuBuild" - 2004 and this is evidence of growth in interest of the foreign companies to the region and enlarging of trade-economic bounds of the country. The organizers of the exhibition expect more 20 thou professional visitors from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey and Kazakhstan.
The exhibition will be held at support of the State Department of Architecture and Construction of he Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan and Trade-Economic Chamber of the AR.
THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN WILL TAKE PART IN THE ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNO
"At the present time we work at holding of meeting of the Foreign Minstries of some countries during the UNO Assembly and inform them about the position of Azerbaijan on he Nagorni Karabakh conflict", - Mr. E. Mamedyarov has said.
By his words, the Karabakh adjustment will be discussed as well on trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia, which will be held within frameworks of the General Assembly of the UNO in New-York.
Mr. E. Mamedyarov has emphasized that adjustment of the issue of opening of the Armenian-Turkish frontier is impossible before adjustment of the Nagorni Karabakh conflict. "Opening of frontiers is impossible before liberation of occupied lands of Azerbaijan", - the Foreign Minister has declared.
THE MFA OF AZERBAIJAN NEGOTIATES WITH BRUSSELLS ON PARTICIPATION OF THE ARMENIAN SERVICEMEN ON THE NATO'S MANEUVERS IN BAKU
"We conduct consultations jointly with the NATO and inform the NATO about our position", - the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. E. Mamedyarov has said to journalists.
He has noted that particularly a number of servicemen, who should be delivered by Armenia, are determined during consultations. Mr. Mamedyarov has noted that Baku has taken many liabilities to the NATO and a refusal of reception of the Armenian servicemen may damage development of individual cooperation of Azerbaijan - NATO.
International maneuvers of the NATO will be held not far from Baku on September 13 - 26 within frameworks of the program "Partnership for Peace". Intensions of servicemen of Armenia, which has occupied a part of the territory of Azerbaijan, to take part in the maneuvers causes indignation of the Azerbaijan society.
