At the 6th ECO Business Forum held in Shusha, discussions focused on deepening economic cooperation among the ECO countries and exploring regional investment opportunities.
The 6th ECO Business Forum was organized in the city of Shusha by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency – AZPROMO, the Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the ECO Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The event took place as part of the ECO Week, which was held for the first time at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. The Forum was attended by government representatives, officials from the ECO and other international organizations, as well as heads of chambers of commerce and industry from ECO member countries.
Speaking at the Forum, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister of Economy, Elnur Aliyev, emphasized the country’s commitment to sustained economic cooperation within the framework of the ECO and its support for achieving the organization’s goals. He noted that Azerbaijan’s economic and trade relations with member countries are steadily growing. In the first five months of 2025, trade turnover with ECO countries reached 3.5 billion US dollars, representing a 10% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
Information was provided on Azerbaijan’s strategic role in the region, its economic potential, and the steps taken toward regional integration. Opportunities for expanding partnerships with member countries in areas such as investment, energy transition, transport and transit, and other strategic sectors were highlighted.
The Secretary-General of the ECO, Dr. Asad M. Khan, spoke about the private sector’s perspective on the issues reflected in the organization’s new development document covering the years 2026-2035. He also discussed the potential for strengthening cooperation in food and agriculture, textiles, ICT, tourism, transportation, and the green and circular economy.
The President of the ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Atif Ikram Sheikh, shared his views on enhancing the effectiveness of mechanisms for regional trade development and investment promotion.
Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of AZPROMO, provided information on bilateral forums and investment projects implemented in partnership with ECO member countries under the Agency’s coordination. He emphasized that the Forum would further intensify public-private partnership.
Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA), and Mammad Musayev, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan, shared insights on joint business opportunities between Azerbaijan and ECO member states.
Forum participants, including representatives of chambers of commerce and industry from ECO countries, emphasized the importance of expanding cross-border trade infrastructure and improving investment promotion mechanisms. Topics discussed included the development of regional value chains, digitalization of transport and logistics systems, and the creation of unified platforms to simplify customs procedures. The active involvement of the private sector in shaping regional strategies and strengthening institutional frameworks for public-private partnerships was also underlined as a key priority.
The Forum continued with business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) meetings. As part of the event, a visit by entrepreneurs to the Aghdam Industrial Park was also organized.
