Azerbaijan Showcases Expanding Chinese Investment in National Economy

The 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, China, featured a dedicated session on Belt and Road investment cooperation.

Speaking at the event, Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan and Co-Chairman of the Azerbaijan-China Intergovernmental Commission, described CIFIT as a significant platform that strengthens bilateral ties and generates tangible opportunities for investment and trade, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

Mustafayev emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to diversifying its trade structure and boosting competitiveness by lowering logistics costs. He noted that since 1995, China has invested a total of $942.3 million in Azerbaijan, with 347 Chinese companies currently active across industry, agriculture, transport, construction, trade, and services.

Highlighting Azerbaijan’s business-friendly environment, Mustafayev pointed to special economic zones such as the Alat Free Economic Zone and industrial parks, while also encouraging private investment in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, central to national reconstruction efforts. “These areas, together with designated economic zones, offer substantial opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, including tax incentives of up to 10 years. In this context, the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum will take place in Baku on September 22-23, presenting Azerbaijan as an open platform shaping the future of sustainable trade and supply chains,” he said.

Mustafayev also underscored Azerbaijan’s strategic location as a Eurasian transport hub, highlighting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as key components of the Belt and Road initiative. He added, “Last year, transit traffic along the Middle Corridor grew by 86 percent, and from January to July this year, by 44 percent.”

During the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation held meetings with executives of Chinese companies Hasee and King Long to explore further cooperation opportunities.