Azerbaijan – Locomotive of the Caucasus Potential and Investment Opportunities

14 March 2013 | 08.30–17.00hrs

Hôtel de lʼIndustrie – Siège de la Société dʼEncouragement pour lʼIndustrie Nationale 4 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés 75006

www.teas.eu | teasbusinessforum@teas.eu

This free conference is organised in collaboration with the Azerbaijani Embassy in France and the France–Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce. Following the success of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) Business Forum 2011 and 2012, which were held in London, this event sees the launch of the Business Forum events in France. Designed to act as a platform to develop business networks and to highlight the wealth of business and investment opportunities that exist in Azerbaijan, the conference will focus on topics including:

• Energy technologies • Water and sanitation • Agribusiness • Telecommunications and aerospace • Large-scale infrastructure projects •

The event will also serve to:

• Outline the investment and business potential available in Azerbaijan • Highlight existing projects in the country and provide the latest information • Identify growth areas and unexploited sectors in the Azerbaijani economy • Act as a platform for representatives of business and governments to deliver key messages to potential

investors and partners

Azerbaijan is due to experience exponential growth and presents major potential for French companies in the hydrocarbon sector and beyond. Azerbaijan is due to experience exponential growth and presents major potential for French companies in the hydrocarbon sector and beyond. Boosted by the rise of oil, the economy of Azerbaijan has registered record rates of GDP growth of 25 to 35% between 2005 and 2007. Since then, although the economic boom has calmed somewhat the development of basic infrastructure continues at an impressive pace. At $ 64 billion in 2012, the GDP of Azerbaijan accounts for over 70% of the economy of the Caucasus.

 

08.30 Registration SALLE LUMIERE Official Welcome 09.00 The Official Opening • Vanessa Raine – Business Coordinator, TEAS • Jean Perrin – President, France-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce; 1st Ambassador of France to

Azerbaijan (1992–1996) Conference moderator: Daniel Patat – Economic and Commercial Counsellor of France, South Caucasus and Turkmenistan, French Embassy Baku Speakers: • Tale Heydarov – Chairman, The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) • H.E. Elchin Amirbayov – Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France • H.E. Pascal Meunier – Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan

SESSION 1: Azerbaijan – Locomotive of the Caucasus

09.30 – 10.00

Session Chairman: Daniel Patat – Economic and Commercial Counsellor of France, South Caucasus and Turkmenistan, French Embassy Baku

Azerbaijan today: challenges and opportunities Institutional and legal framework for investment

Azerbaijan – one of Franceʼs most important regional partners – is a dynamic, rapidly growing economy in transition, providing vast opportunities for French companies. Its business climate is among the most conducive in the region. Azerbaijani legislation has evolved considerably in recent years, with the adoption of a legal system which will attract the foreign investor. Beyond the oil sector, in certain sectors of the economy, advantages are available to investors within the framework of special economic zones, industrial parks and chemical parks, with the view to developing infrastructure and thus encouraging a more diversified economy.

This session will discuss the new business prospects, elaborate on how to mitigate risks and challenges that investors face and offer experienced-based policy options and business orientations.

Speakers: • Natig Madatov – Executive Director, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) • Ilham Aliyev – Deputy Executive Director, The Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC) • James Hogan – Partner, Salans, FMC and SNR Denton; Vice-President, France–Azerbaijan Chamber of

Commerce  • Paul-Henri Forestier – Director, Caucasus, Moldova, Belarus, EBRD

Session sponsored by: AFB Bank

 

SESSION 2: Oil and Gas – Investment Opportunities and Energy Security for Europe

10.00 – 10.45 Session Chairman: Ladislas Poniatowski – Member of the French Senate; Co-chair, Senate Energy Task Force Significant changes in the Azerbaijan hydrocarbon sector: how will this impact corporate strategies and the political landscape? Oil and gas development in Azerbaijan: Oil and gas reserves and delivery channels: Russia, Turkey and the EU Diversification: is there a future for renewable energy in Azerbaijan? Policy options

Azerbaijan is the only Caspian nation, offering hydrocarbon exports at the same time to Turkey, Russia and the EU. France remains one of the key investors to unlock the huge potential in this country, not only in oil and gas but also in renewables and diversified sectors associated with energy. The panelists in this session are to explore how further Azerbaijan could expand its energy development, discuss improvements in the investment regime, and offer what the prospects hold for the EU and Turkey. Azeri state energy company SOCAR and France's Total and GDF Suez confirmed the discovery of important gas reserves in Azerbaijan's deep waters of the Caspian Sea, Total said in a press release. Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/02/gas-azerbaijan-discovery-idUSL6E8I269Q20120702 Azerbaijan plans to raise renewal energy capacity in the country, the third-largest oil producer of the former Soviet Union, to about 20 percent of total power demand by 2020, with investment estimated to reach $7 billion. Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-30/azerbaijan-plans-7-billion-boost-for-renewable-energy-by-2020.html Keynote speaker: Ilham Nasirov – Deputy Head of Investment Department, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR)

Speakers: • Michael Borrell – Senior Vice-President Continental Europe and Central Asia, TOTAL • Denis Simonneau – Member of the Executive Committee, Director of European and International Relations,

GDF SUEZ • Jean-Arnold Vinois – Former Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission

Partner:

Groupement des entreprises parapétrolières et paragazières et des professionnels du pétrole et du gaz (GEP AFTP) – French Oil and Gas Suppliers Council  

www.gep-france.com  

10.45 – 11.00 COFFEE BREAK – SALLE LUMIERE

 

SESSION 3: Areas of high growth for winning partnerships

11.00 – 12.30

Session Chairman: André Reichardt – Senator of Bas-Rhin; First-Vice President, Regional Council of Alsace; President, Economic Development Agency ʻAlsace Internationalʼ

Industry Telecoms and Communications

CT has turned into a real sector of country's economy and is found the second priority one following the energy sector. Source: http://www.telecomjournal.info/index.php/en/2012-06-20-08) "Azerbaijan is seeking to take a leading position in the region in the field of ICT. For our part, we see great perspective in expanding contacts between French and Azerbaijani companies in this field," Source: http://www.telecomjournal.info/index.php/en/2012-06-20-08) Which sectors offer the greatest potential for development? What are the key opportunities in the market? Keynote speaker: Rashad Nabiyev – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Azercosmos

Speaker:

• Jacques Breton – Vice-President, Sales & Customer, Arianespace

Agribusiness Azerbaijanʼs diverse climate (the country features nine of the 13 world climatic zones) enables a vast range of crops to be cultivated. The sector employs 40 per cent of the rural workforce, and is currently averaging 6 per cent growth year-on-year. The revival of agriculture is a priority for Azerbaijan.

This session will show what is the investment potential in the industry and what are the expectations of potential investors in this sector.

Speaker: • Rashad Majidov – Director, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Azerbaijan Water and Sanitation Major water and sanitation projects in Azerbaijan include water supply infrastructure developments in the Absheron Peninsula; a major sewerage and water system upgrade in the capital, Baku, and towns throughout the country; and waste water and land remediation initiatives. These areas are critical to Azerbaijanʼs development and present significant opportunities for foreign companies.

This session will showcase the many projects ongoing in the country today and what challenges accompanying these projects for foreign companies. Keynote speaker: Kocherli Hasanov – Deputy Chairman, Operations Azersu

Speakers:

 

• Hadji Huseynov – Infrastructure Specialist, ECSSD, World Bank   • Philippe Deparday – Deputy Director for Europe, International Division, Sade • Diane d'Arras – Senior Executive Vice-President Water Western Europe & Member of the Board of Directors

of the International Water Association (IWA), SUEZ Environnement

Sponsor:

Infrastructure Projects and Large-Scale International Investment

Session Chairman: Kamala Muradova – Director Baku Office, CIFAL

Azerbaijan has already devoted considerable effort to improve and expand its road network; significant investment has been dedicated to transport infrastructure developments. The countryʼs railway network is being modernised in collaboration with neighbours Georgia and Turkey, to ensure that the rail transport infrastructure is sufficient to meet the demands of global trade. In urban transport, the Baku Metro system is undergoing renovation, with new, European standard underground tracks being added.

Partners:

French Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (AFTES) www.aftes.asso.fr Azerbaijan Tunnelling Association (AzTA)  www.azta-asso.com

Speakers:

• Alain Balan – President, ex officio member of the Board of Directors, French Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (AFTES)

• Hadji Huseynov – Infrastructure Specialist, ECSSD, World Bank  • Khagani Guluzade – Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director, Akkord Industry Construction

Investment Corporation • Hosni Bouzid – Regional Director, Vinci CGP  • Jean-Denys Arnal – Executive Director, Bouygues Travaux Publics • André Ohnheiser – Senior Executive Vice-President South Europe & Mediterranean, SYSTRA, ingénierie

des transports en France

Sponsors:  

 

Conclusions

12.30 – 13.00

Session Chairman: Nathalie Goulet – Senator of Orne; Vice-President of the Parliamentary Friendship Group France–Caucasus in the French Senate

Roundtable – The way forward

The major challenge for Azerbaijan is to diversify its economy so as to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon export revenues and distribute fairly the fruits of its growth in a sustainable manner. What steps can to be taken by the French and Azerbaijan governments to enhance their current relationship to the mutual benefit.

Speakers:

• Jacques Attali – Professor; writer; Honorary Member of the Council of State; founder and first President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London from 1991 to 1993; Chief Executive Officer of A&A; Chief Executive Officer, Attali & Associates, Founding President of de PlaNet Finance (Special Adviser to the President of the Republic of France from 1981 to 1991)

• H.E. Elchin Amirbayov – Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France • Tale Heydarov – Chairman, The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS)

Closing Statement: Eliza Pieter – Head of TEAS France

SALLE CHAPTAL END OF FORUM – NETWORKING LUNCH

Azerbaijan Through the Lens Photography Exhibition – Open to the public

14.00 – 1700

Coffee and Tea served in the Salle Chaptal between 14.00 at 16.00

BIBLIOTHÈQUE LASTEYRIE B2B MEETINGS

Interested companies are kindly requested to register with: Vanessa Raine – Business Coordinator, TEAS

email: vanessa.raine@teas.eu