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 | | Promoting Foreign Investment and Connecting Businesses in Azerbaijan. |
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| Piers von Berg talks to Farid Mammedov, the Executive Manager of ITECA Caspian, about the increasing roleof business exhibitions in Azerbaijan. |
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A.T.: Could you provide some brief information about your company and your current operations in Azerbaijan?
F.M.: ITECA Caspian are the biggest exhibition organizers in the Caucasus and with our international partner ITE Group PLC we organize all the oil and gas exhibitions in the former Soviet Union. In 2003 we will have eight different exhibitions in Azerbaijan, and in 2004 we will increase our portfolio to eleven. In addition, our new office in Georgia will organize next year's oil and gas conference as well as the first construction, telecommunications and food industry exhibitions there.
A.T.: What role do exhibitions play in Azerbaijan's economy?
F.M.: Azerbaijan is clearly an attractive marketplace with many foreign companies working here. Baku is the keypoint in the Caucasus for them to come and spread their business. The exhibition itself acts as the door to the country for the businessman. You can see who is working in the country and meet all the key people.
A.T.: How many guests are you expecting at this year's exhibitions in Baku?
F.M.: Last year, BakuTel [telecommunications and information technology] had 8,000 professional visitors. This year we are moving to the Baku Sport and Exhibition Complex and we expect 10-12,000 visitors at each show.
A.T.: How do exhibitions affect the way people do business in Azerbaijan?
F.M.: The situation has really changed since 1999 when people thought: "why should we pay for space when we have our office and our showrooms?" But now attitudes have changed. Companies plan their budgets for the exhibitions because they see results from the events. Many firms, especially the progressive ones and the big brand names, understand what they can gain from the exhibitions and they are regular participants at our shows.
A.T.: What is the average proportion of local to foreign businesses at your exhibitions?
F.M.: In 1995 when we started 90% of the participants were foreign. But this year's figures are completely different: about 60% of participants are local Azeri companies and joint ventures with foreign firms. Next year I expect it to change to about 70% local and 30% foreign firms.
A.T.: What role do the exhibitions play in attracting foreign investment into Azerbaijan?
F.M.: For the last three years more than 350 foreign companies participated at our shows and more than 200 are now working here in Azerbaijan. It is very important that these foreign companies bring new technology, products and services so our companies can learn from this.
A.T.: Would ITECA Caspian like to organize the oil and gas exhibition here in Baku?
F.M.: Of course you can compare the level of services provided by our company and Spearhead Exhibitions. We have more experience in this field and in 2005 will organize the 17th World Petroleum Congress in South Africa, which will be the largest oil and gas event in world. But Spearhead arrived before us and in my opinion are doing a very good job.
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