Azerbaijan invests in the development of Dagestani industry

Yesterday the Days of Dagestan finished in Azerbaijan, in the framework of which the parties discussed a number of issues in the framework of economic cooperation. In particular, it is planned to build a large cement plant, trade and logistics center between Makhachkala and the port of Kaspiysk in Dagestan together with the Azerbaijani investors, the head of the republic of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdullatipov, reported.

"One of the major projects implemented in the country with the involvement of Azerbaijani investors is the creation of a trade and logistics center between Makhachkala and Kaspiysk covering an area of ​​30 hectares, and the construction of the LLC Dagestan cement plant with an output of 1.8 million tons of cement per year,’’ Abdullatipov wrote on his Instagram page, RIA Novosti reported.

Azerbaijani investors have been invited to participate in the construction of tourist, recreational and therapeutic complexes, hotels and motels on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

"To date, there are investment projects developed already and completed investment platforms. In addition, one of the instruments of cooperation is the development of joint cross-tourist routes in Azerbaijan and the Republic of Dagestan, particularly in the framework of the large international project of the CIS countries and China 'Great Silk Road', the head of Dagestan said.

The amount of investment, investors and the duration of the projects have not been announced yet.

Azerbaijan hosted the Days of Culture of Dagestan for the first time on May 12-13th.  An exhibition titled ‘Art of the Peoples of Dagestan’ opened in the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku. A performance by the dance ensemble Lezginka took place. As a representative of the press service of the head of Dagestan and the government reported, the main purpose of the Days of Culture is to promote cultural cooperation between the regions, the revival of interest in the history of Dagestan and Russia.

For his part, Ramazan Abdullatipov reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meetings with the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, spoke about the need to strengthen the inter-regional ties. "And we should try to raise the economic level of our relations," the head of Dagestan noted.

He said that Dagestan has many opportunities for joint ventures and investment. ‘’Projects of the agro-industrial complex and in the housing service area are being implemented successfully in Dagestan. A modern town with all the necessary infrastructure, designed for 20 thousand people, is being built between Kaspiysk and Makhachkala. We need modern hotels, restaurants, recreation areas. And this is a ready platform for the creation of new projects,’’ Ramazan Abdullatipov expressed confidence.

A presentation of the investment and tourism potential of Dagestan took place in the framework of the event. As the head of the Agency for Entrepreneurship and Investment of the Dagestani Republic Bashir Magomedov said, one of the major projects in the country with the involvement of Azerbaijani investors was the establishment of a trade and logistics center between Makhachkala and Kaspiysk covering an area of ​​30 hectares (the initiator became LLC Agesta).

"We began to actively cooperate with Azerbaijani investors in all areas. Another example is the construction of the LLC Dagestan cement plant with an output of 1.8 million tons of cement per year. The total cost of the project is 15112.0 million rubles," he said.

The minister for tourism and folk crafts of the Dagestani Republic, Magomed Isayev, spoke about the tourism potential of the region. "Dagestan is extremely rich in tourist resources. The amazing nature, great history, rich cultural heritage, the unique geographical location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the ethnographic and linguistic diversity of Dagestan have always attracted a lot of historians, archaeologists, ethnographers and travelers from around the world,’’ the head of the Ministry of Tourism noted, adding that on the territory of Dagestan there is the ancient Russian city of Derbent, and the citadel of Naryn-Kala, the ancient city and fortress buildings of Derbent are on the List of World Heritage of UNESCO.

Now due to the growth in domestic tourist flow in Dagestan, there is a need to create a modern material and technical base for industry. Therefore, the Azerbaijani investors were invited to participate in the construction of tourist, recreational and therapeutic complexes, hotels and motels on the coast of the Caspian Sea within the framework of the investment projects already developed and ready investment sites.

The discussion resulted in the signing of an agreement between the Agency for Entrepreneurship and Investment of Dagestan and the Caspian Investment Group.

After the meeting, Ramazan Abdullatipov said that the main sectors of interest to Dagestan are agribusiness and the construction of logistics centers.