Special Reports » OTHER REPORTS » AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is having to balance the demands of the poor with those of cautious economists when it comes to managing its soaring oil wealth. Nick Kochan explains.

The banking sector is growing hand-in-hand with the economy, accompanied by consolidation and privatisation, and opportunities for new products.

Samir Sharifov, Minister of Finance, tells Nick Kochan why Azerbaijan is tapping the Euromarkets as well as making great efforts to build up its non-oil sector.

So far the fortunes of the Baku Stock Exchange have been muted, but legal and systems changes are afoot.

Having embarked upon a course of creating a balanced market economy, Azerbaijan has reaped the rewards and The International Bank of Azerbaijan has had an integral role in the process.

Azerbaijan’s oil windfall is calculated to total $1000 dollars per capita per year for the next 20 years. Nick Kochan explains how production is being apportioned.

Forget the black gold of its oil industry – Azerbaijan’s real treasure is its cultural status as the birthplace of Indo-European civilisation, and the country is considering how to promote this to tourists. Courtney Fingar reports from Azerbaijan.