2024-08-07 04:19:44
Source: Trend International Information Agency
Negotiations are underway with Saudi Arabian companies that are ready to invest in Azerbaijan’s energy sector.
As reported by Day.Az, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan Issam bin Saleh Al-Juteili said this in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“Work is underway at the commission level to study investment opportunities in the oil and gas sector, as well as in the alternative energy sector in Azerbaijan. A trilateral video meeting was recently held between the Ministers of Energy and Economy of Azerbaijan and the Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, where cooperation issues were discussed. At this meeting, an exchange of views took place on the possibilities of increasing investments in the energy sector of Azerbaijan,” the ambassador said.
Al-Juteili also spoke about the prospects for expanding cooperation in the field of alternative energy.
“ACWA Power, operating in Azerbaijan, is one of the well-known companies in the field of alternative energy in Saudi Arabia. ACWA Power is also engaged in energy storage and accumulation. Two months ago, a document was signed between this company and the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan on further expansion of cooperation. We will try to further expand the business of this leading company in the field of alternative energy in Azerbaijan. ACWA Power is a very responsible company that conscientiously fulfills all its obligations,” the diplomat noted.
Al-Juteili noted that within the framework of COP29, an exchange of experience is being carried out between the working groups of the two countries.
“Two months ago, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy and before that, a 45-member working group visited Azerbaijan. They held meetings at both the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and discussed opportunities to exchange experiences in various fields. This working group continues to contact their Azerbaijani counterparts to discuss Saudi Arabia’s possible contribution to the work of COP29. Discussions continue between the Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy and the Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, and exchanges of experience are taking place between the working groups,” the ambassador said.
According to him, meetings of the working groups of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia continue in an online format.
“If necessary, the working group will visit Azerbaijan again. I wish Azerbaijan success in hosting COP29. Hosting such a high-level international event in Azerbaijan will be another demonstration of its strength and capabilities,” Al-Juteili added.
New investment opportunities
The ambassador said that the Saudi company SALIC is exploring new investment opportunities in Karabakh and Azerbaijan as a whole.
“We are trying to ensure that investors and businessmen explore investment opportunities themselves. A delegation of investors from Saudi Arabia will visit Azerbaijan in September. Their meetings here will be held with the assistance of the Azerbaijan Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBiA). There is great potential for agricultural development in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan presented us with a document on agricultural zones in Azerbaijan and areas suitable for investment. Saudi investors were informed about the benefits they can enjoy in Azerbaijan,” Al-Juteili said.
Trade relations
The ambassador said that the Saudi trade delegation will be visiting Azerbaijan on September 23-27.
“The delegation will hold meetings with business representatives and investors in Azerbaijan and consider opportunities for joint cooperation. Negotiations are also underway with the chairman of the joint intergovernmental commission of the two countries – the Ministry of Finance – to hold a meeting of the commission before the end of this year. This commission includes representatives of both the public and private sectors. The meeting is planned to be held in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Al-Juteili noted that trade turnover between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan does not fully reflect the potential of the two countries.
“We are currently working to increase the volume of mutual trade and identify new areas for investment. We are trying to expand relations in the area of small and medium-sized businesses, and I thank the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses for cooperation in this area,” he said.
Tourism
The diplomat said that the Saudi Arabian Tourism Authority, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy and the State Tourism Agency are working to organize a tourism exhibition at the EXPO Center in Baku.
“The exact time of the event has not yet been determined. The exhibition will showcase Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential and this event will help build a bridge between the tourism companies of the two countries,” he added.
Al-Juteili noted that there is direct air communication between the countries, and in the summer season, three flights are carried out daily by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and Saudi Arabian Flynas and Flyadeal.
“Due to the large number of flights in both directions by air, various new companies have joined this process. A Saudi Arabian citizen can obtain an Azerbaijani visa in his country either online or, upon arrival in Azerbaijan, at the airport. Azerbaijani citizens can also obtain a visa online for travel to Saudi Arabia. If Azerbaijani citizens have a UK, Schengen or US visa, they can obtain a Saudi Arabian visa at the airport,” the ambassador added.
According to him, as in previous years, this year the number of tourists coming to Azerbaijan from Saudi Arabia is large.
“This is due to the broad tourism potential of Azerbaijan and the large number of tourist regions. The cordiality and hospitality of the Azerbaijani people also attract tourists from Saudi Arabia. The State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan cooperates very closely with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, takes into account the comments of the embassy and eliminates problems,” the ambassador said.
The diplomat noted that Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its tourism potential in recent years.
“Currently, the number of tourists coming to Saudi Arabia is more than 100 million annually. By 2030, we plan to receive 150 million tourists per year. This is a very high figure. All this requires strengthening the tourism infrastructure (hotels, airports, services). Many projects are being implemented to increase the tourism potential of Saudi Arabia. Tourism is developing in the Red Sea region and in the city of Al-Ula. The territory of Saudi Arabia is very large and has a diverse relief. These are mountains, deserts, and coastal areas. We even have regions in the country where it constantly snows,” he added.
Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage
Al-Juteili stressed that organizing Hajj and Umrah is always a priority for Saudi Arabia.
“The Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia visited Azerbaijan for the first time at the invitation of the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikh ulislam Allahshukur Pashazade. During this visit, the issue of the trip of Azerbaijani pilgrims to their second homeland – Saudi Arabia was discussed. Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the organization of Hajj and Umrah to Mecca and Medina, where two holy places are located, receives Muslims from different countries of the world at a high level and treats them equally. By attracting material and human resources, Saudi Arabia creates all the conditions for pilgrims. To fulfill this honorable mission, the King of Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince create all the conditions for a dignified reception and farewell to the guests. The organization of Hajj and Umrah is always a priority for Saudi Arabia,” he said.
The ambassador added that every year 2 million Muslims simultaneously perform the Hajj.
“In order to perform their rituals over five to six days, pilgrims move from one place to another on the same day, at the same time. The safety of visitors is fully ensured, they are provided with high-level medical services. Sometimes, countries hosting football championships and other major events have difficulty receiving 100,000 guests at the same time. All government agencies are involved in this work. Even in some cases, it is difficult for one country to host a football match, and organizational issues are divided between several countries. However, the number of guests at these events is 100-150 thousand people. Saudi Arabia simultaneously receives 2 million guests. The Saudi Arabian government does everything possible to ensure that pilgrims can freely and unhindered perform their rituals,” he said.
Education
Al-Juteili noted that 127 Azerbaijani students have the opportunity to receive scholarships in Saudi Arabia.
He recalled that during the visit to Azerbaijan of the delegation of the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia, rectors and other representatives of a number of universities, a meeting was held with the Deputy Minister of Education of Azerbaijan and issues of student exchange between universities of Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan were discussed.
“Following these meetings, an agreement was reached on the accreditation of five Azerbaijani universities in Saudi Arabia. According to the agreement, diplomas of these five universities will be recognized in Saudi Arabia. 127 Azerbaijani students have the opportunity to receive a scholarship in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan can submit candidacies of these 127 Saudi Arabian students. They can study at any university in Saudi Arabia in any specialty except medicine. The scholarship includes air tickets, living expenses, monthly expenses, tuition fees, health insurance and a travel pass every 11 months,” the ambassador added.
Cooperation in the field of mine clearance
Al-Juteili noted that Saudi Arabia supports the activities of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency in the territories liberated from occupation.
“Mines are a big obstacle to the development of these territories and the habitation of people in these regions. Therefore, Saudi Arabia provided assistance for demining work in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. A representative of the King Salman Rescue and Humanitarian Center, Abdullah Rabiei, took part in an international event organized by the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency. This is an example that shows that Saudi Arabia supports Azerbaijan in this matter,” he said.
In conclusion, the ambassador noted that Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia always support each other within the framework of international organizations and forums.
“There is a high level of coordination between the countries in various fields. Since my arrival in Azerbaijan in September 2023, I have been making efforts to further develop relations in all areas. Azerbaijan supported Saudi Arabia in hosting EXPO 2030, and we are grateful to you for that. We also received support from Azerbaijan in connection with hosting the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2034. This mutual support clearly demonstrates the level of relations between the countries,” he said.