Ilham Aliyev says social protection is one of Azerbaijan's key policies

Given the current conditions, we need to carry out additional measures to extend entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a conference dedicated to the results of the second year of implementation of the 'State program on socio-economic development of the districts of the Azerbaijan Republic in 2014-2018'.

"I want the entrepreneurs representing all the districts to give speeches, inform about the work being done  and at the same time discuss their issues of concern. Today, ministers, government officials, heads of executive power and entrepreneurs will continue their work in sections. I am confident that the issues to be discussed there will be significant and concrete proposals should be made," Trend cited him as saying.

A lot of work has been done for business development, and today the private sector forms the majority of the Azerbaijani economy (over 80%), the head of state noted.

“However, a new period, a new situation, requires new approaches. Given the current conditions, we need to carry out additional measures to extend entrepreneurship, create even better conditions for entrepreneurs, and accelerate domestic and local production. I have already given instructions to the relevant government agencies, but I want the local entrepreneurs to talk about their problems themselves,” the President of Azerbaijan stressed.

Speaking about the plans for the current year, Aliyev noted that the social programs will be fulfilled in the first place.

"As you know, wages, pensions and social benefits have been increased, social protection is one of the key directions of our policy. Azerbaijan is faithful to the market economy, and the market economy is developing successfully in the country. However, we must always remember about social issues. We must not forget that we work for the people," Ilham Aliyev said.