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On May 31, inauguration of the Azerbaijan Business Centre took place in the city of Astrakhan of the Russian Federation.

A delegation led by Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, chairperson of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR) Leyla Aliyeva attended the inauguration.

First, Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, governor of the Russian Federation’s Astrakhan Region Alexander Jilkin and members of the Azerbaijani delegation visited the statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the park named after the National Leader in Astrakhan city, and put flowers before it.

Leyla Aliyeva, meeting with city residents in the park named after national leader Heydar Aliyev, had a sincere conversation with them. Gifts were presented here on behalf of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to children resting in the park.

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Then, a meeting took place between governor of Astrakhan city Alexander Jilkin and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.

Alexander Jilkin underscored the high-level cooperation between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan region. He, thanking Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the care and attention shown by him towards the Astrakhan region, said big projects have been implemented with support from the state of Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The governor said inauguration of the Azerbaijan Business Centre would take place today with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The new centre will serve expanding our cooperation and business relations further. A.Jilkin, emphasizing that multilateral support will be provided to the Centre’s activities, expressed confidence new business projects would emerge in the new place. The governor brought to attention that relations with Azerbaijan in the spheres of science and education, healthcare and tourism were advancing.

Leyla Aliyeva conveyed greetings and wishes of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Governor Alexander Jilkin. Highly appreciating the contribution of the Astrakhan side to the advancement of the Azerbaijan-Astrakhan relations, she noted that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has implemented a number of projects in Astrakhan. New meetings will allow discussing new projects in the areas of education, environment etc. We have common purposes. Leyla Aliyeva said she has always come to Astrakhan with pleasure and was inspired by the positive energy of the city. Leyla Aliyeva invited the governor of Astrakhan to visit Azerbaijan.

Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for public and political affairs Ali Hasanov thanked for the hospitality shown towards the delegation, noting that the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have been of strategic nature. The region of Astrakhan has played a special role in the advancement of these relations. Documents have been signed recent years between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan region covering the social and economic, commercial, scientific and technical and humanitarian fields. These documents brings us closer, allowing expansion of the horizons and joint activity. The assistant to the President emphasized that significant projects have been implemented in Astrakhan with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. He expressed confidence this cooperation would be extended further.

At the meeting, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloghlu talked about the celebration of national leader Heydar Aliyev’s 95^th anniversary in both Azerbaijan and Russia. The ambassador noted that a historical and documentary exhibition on the theme “Heydar Aliyev: Personality. Mission. Legacy” was held successfully on the occasion of this jubilee.

Minister of economy Shahin Mustafayev underscored that the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have been advancing at a rapid pace. The minister said the Business Centre to be inaugurated would contribute to the advancement of our economic relations.

Director of the Heydar Aliyev Centre Anar Alakbarov, head of the President Administration’s department for youth policy and sport affairs Yusuf Mammadaliyev, chairperson of the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs Fuad Muradov, head of the Narimanov District Executive Authority Abdin Farzaliyev and other officials attended the meeting.

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Then, inauguration of the Azerbaijan Business Centre in Astrakhan took place.

First, Leyla Aliyeva and ceremony participants planted trees in the Centre’s courtyard.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, governor of the Astrakhan Region Alexander Jilkin said that the commissioning of the Azerbaijan Business Centre into operation is a significant event for Astrakhan. Following the instruction by President Ilham Aliyev, the Astrakhan Business Centre is being constructed in Baku. The new centres will allow lifting the level of our mutual relations and extending relations between businessmen. The governor thanked President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Foundation’s Vice-president Leyla Aliyeva for the project implemented in Astrakhan region.

Minister of economy Shahin Mustafayev underscored that Azerbaijan has established active business relations with regions of Russia. Noting that forums conducted between regions of Azerbaijan and Russia have contributed to the advancement of these relations, the minister said the following, 9^th forum will be held in Ganja.

Mentioning implementation of a number of significant projects recent years in Astrakhan region with active participation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the minister cited the restoration of Secondary School No.11 named after Heydar Aliyev in Astrakhan, construction of “Friendship” kindergarten, the Heydar Aliyev park, renovation of a child entertainment village, and erection of Prince Vladimir’s statue. With the foundation laid in 2016, the Centre’s 1^st floor displays products of over 30 Azerbaijani companies specialized in food and textile industry, construction materials and other areas.

After cutting a ribbon symbolizing the opening, the guests were informed that the Azerbaijan Business Centre - with the foundation laid in Astrakhan in 2016 and completion of the construction in May this year – is one of the works carried out towards promotion of the brand “Made in Azerbaijan”, following President Ilham Aliyev’s instruction. On the first floor of the Centre is an exhibition hall displaying products made under the brand “Made in Azerbaijan”.

The area of the five-storied building, constructed opposite to the secondary school named after Heydar Aliyev, in Baku Street, Astrakhan, is 5 thousand square metres. The Centre accommodates exhibition and conference rooms, office rooms, commercial objects, a mini hotel, a fitness room, and restaurants. The conditions created here will allow holding business meetings and discussions. Promotion of Azerbaijani products to be taken to the Russian market will be carried out in the Azerbaijan Business Centre. Those Russian companies who are interested in this will have a possibility to sign long-term agreements with concrete suppliers in Azerbaijan. Creation of the centre will support efficient advancement of commercial and economic relations between economic subjects of both the countries.

The foundation laying ceremony for the Azerbaijan Business Centre took place in 2016 with participation of governor of Astrakhan Region Alexander Jilkin and assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for public and political affairs Ali Hasanov. In the same year, the foundation of the Astrakhan Business Centre was laid in Baku.