Information was provided on the work carried out last year and the planned measures in the industrial zones managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency, as well as in the Yevlakh Pilot Agropark.

A press conference dedicated to the results of the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) for 2025 and the tasks ahead was held. The Agency operates under the Ministry of Economy.

Chairman of the Board of EZDA, Seymur Adigozalov, informed media representatives about the work carried out last year and the planned measures in the industrial zones under the Agency’s management and in the Yevlakh Pilot Agropark.

In 2025, resident status was granted to 25 business entities and non-resident status to 4 entrepreneurs in the industrial zones managed by EZDA. Last year, 14 enterprises began operating in the industrial zones. These enterprises invested a total of 136 million manats and created 1,100 permanent jobs.

To date, resident status has been granted to 138 business entities with an investment portfolio exceeding 8.7 billion manats in the industrial zones managed by the Agency, while 13 entrepreneurs have received non-resident status. Entrepreneurs have invested 7 billion manats in industrial zones, 82 enterprises have started operations, and more than 9,700 permanent jobs have been created.

Between 2015 and 2025, products worth more than 19 billion manats were sold in industrial zones, over 6 billion manats of which were exports.

In 2025 alone, sales in industrial zones amounted to nearly 4 billion manats, of which 1.2 billion manats accounted for exports. Compared to 2024, production increased by 21.1% and exports by 13.4%. Products manufactured in industrial zones are exported to more than 70 countries worldwide. In 2025, the share of industrial zones in the production of non-oil industrial products reached 19.1%, while their share in non-oil exports amounted to 33.9%.

The share of foreign investment in industrial zones has also increased significantly over the years. While only 10.4 million manats of foreign investment were attracted in 2016, this figure reached 87.9 million manats in 2025 alone.

Currently, 40 residents are registered in the Sumgayit Industrial Park, the largest industrial park in the South Caucasus. In 2025, products worth 2.2 billion manats were sold in the park, of which 1.1 billion manats accounted for exports. These figures clearly demonstrate the park’s leading role in overall industrial performance and non-oil exports.

Information was also provided about the Aghdam Industrial Park and the Araz Valley Economic Zone Industrial Park, established in the liberated territories. It was noted that the Aghdam Industrial Park is the second largest industrial park in the country in terms of the number of residents after the Sumgayit Industrial Park. To date, resident status has been granted to 32 business entities and non-resident status to 5 entrepreneurs in the park. Entrepreneurs have invested 145.8 million manats in the park and created nearly 1,000 permanent jobs. Priority is given to residents of Aghdam and surrounding regions during recruitment, contributing to increased employment in the region. Currently, 13 enterprises operate in the park. Products manufactured in the park are sold in the domestic market and exported abroad. Entrepreneurs have sold products worth 1.4 billion manats, including exports worth 62.3 million manats.

The Araz Valley Economic Zone Industrial Park currently has 19 residents and 3 non-residents. Residents have invested more than 43.8 million manats in the park and created nearly 100 jobs.

Production expansion and implementation of new projects continue in the Mingachevir, Garadagh, Pirallahi, and Hajigabul industrial parks, as well as in the Neftchala, Sabirabad, and Masalli industrial districts.

Information was also provided on the work carried out in the Nakhchivan Industrial Park, established at the end of 2024, and the Western Industrial Park, founded in 2026.

Thanks to VAT and customs exemptions applied to imports in the industrial parks managed by EZDA, residents have saved more than 547 million manats to date, including over 42 million manats in 2025 alone.

Information was also presented about the international cooperation initiatives carried out in 2025. It was noted that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between EZDA and China Datang Overseas Investment on the creation of a Green Energy Industrial Park on the Absheron Peninsula. In addition, a land lease agreement was signed with ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia for a seawater desalination project in the Sumgayit Industrial Park.

Information was also provided about the activities of the Yevlakh Pilot Agropark, which was inaugurated last year with the participation of the President. The agropark, established with the involvement of small and medium-sized farmers, covers a total area of 2,807 hectares. It plans to establish intensive orchards, livestock and poultry farms, as well as processing facilities. A total of 35 business entities have been registered as residents. So far, residents have invested 59.4 million manats, creating 185 permanent and 593 seasonal jobs.

Media representatives were also informed about the activities of the Vocational Training Center operating under EZDA. Currently, nearly 500 students study in 14 specialties at the Center.

The Vocational Training Center cooperates with 54 institutions and companies. Within this cooperation, training, industrial internships, and practical sessions are organized for students, and efforts are made to ensure their employment. Employment has been secured for 70% of the graduates who successfully completed the program.

It was also noted that in January the President inaugurated two new enterprises and laid the foundation for another enterprise in the Sumgayit Industrial Park. The attention and support shown by the head of state to the development of industrial zones once again confirm that this sector is one of the priority areas of the country’s economic policy.

EZDA plans to continue efforts in 2026 to expand production in industrial zones, broaden export geography, promote green industrial projects, and attract new investments.