Tourist Journalist Club in the field: Azerbaijan

Fred Heffner, the Tourist Journalist Club. Berlin/Brandenburg (CTour)

Sahib, our driver, is a kind man of about 60. The heavy traffic in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, cannot disturb him. Sahib stays calm even when Indian Tata, modern jeeps Lexus and old Volgas almost push each other by bumpers moving through the city where 2 million people live.

Shining fronts and skyscrapers

The national economic activity and international know-how led to a surprising prosperity for Baku, after 23 years of independence. The consumer grade in the rest of Azerbaijan is slowly growing too. A heavy traffic on the streets is only external evidence. Shining fronts of buildings, new office and separate complexes dominate in the Baku view in recent five years, expressing visitors of the city. In the Crystal Hall which was built specially for Eurovision, world stars perform every week. The population of the country is very young (an average age is 28.6); people wear the most fashionable clothes. Everybody has mobile phones. Supermarkets are popular among citizens.

Prosperity is growing

Anyone who contributes to progress is welcomed in Azerbaijan. There are quite few bureaucratic delays, while the tax system is as simple as it is possible. The governmental economic strategy is successful. The GDP will be$72.18 billion this year, which is twelvefold greater than in 2002 ($6.24 billion). The unemployment rate is 6%. Baku is reaching the Western European standards in providing long-term consumer products (TV-sets, washing machines, refrigerators, mobile phones). Progress is obvious in households. Due to improvement of the health care system expectancy of life increased in the country (74.68 for women and 68.38 for men); the birth rate is growing. The criminal rate is competitively low.

Until the situation continues, the political model of Azerbaijan – at least at the national level – won’t be criticized. At the same time, the one-party system dominates in the country. The party New Azerbaijan is ruling, and Ilham Aliyev is an indisputable leader of the state. His word is crucial.

Ilham Aliyev is supported by the population. After reconstruction of independence many residents of the country got free flats. The government is able to allocate huge oil and gas revenues effectively to development of the country: schools and new hospitals are being built, infrastructure is being renewed. “If we do everything right, in 50 years every Azerbaijani will be a millionaire,” our translator Yulia says seriously. We smile and she explains: “We have only 9 million citizens. See how Norway provided its residents with an access to natural resources of the country. Azerbaijan can do the same thing.” In fact oil and gas revenues are huge. The proved oil resources are two billion tons. It would be enough to provide Germany, the fourth world economy, with oil for 20 years. The gas proved resources are 2.6 trillion cubic meters.

Today, the average salary in the country is $406. It is one of the highest rates among the former Soviet republics. In 2003 44.7% of the population lived in poverty, today this index is only 6.7%.

Building cranes dance ballet

One of the most prosperous segments of Azerbaijani economy is construction, it takes 8% of the GDP. In Baku building cranes are literally dancing ballet – so close they stand to each other. Every year about a million square meters of new living space and much more of business space. White City is one of many megaprojects. It is a new part of the city which is situated to the east from Baku.

Azerbaijan is a bit bigger than Austria – its square is 86.6 thousand square km. The general length of all streets is 60 thousand km. In recent 8 years 6420 km of new roads were built. When we visited regions, we found evidence of the right policy in the country once again. As infrastructure of Baku reached the level of Western standards, countryside began to catch up. Development is powerful here: construction of autobahns, providing electricity and water to the Caucasian villages, high-tech infrastructure in regional administrative centers. Tourist infrastructure appears.

To achieve a desired tourist boom from Europe it is necessary to do a lot. Firstly, a visa-free regime should be launched. Secondly, more hostels instead of five-star hotels should be built. At last, the airport capacity is insignificant (however, at the moment new terminals are being built).

Tourists are welcomed in the country. Azerbaijanis are glad to see Germans in their state, and it is not only because Berti Fogts is a coach of the national team. People are hospitable and kind.