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IFC is implementing or has completed the following advisory projects:
The Challenge Although Azerbaijan’s economy has grown rapidly since the late 1990s, nearly a third of the country’s GDP is based on the state-controlled oil sector. To help ensure that income is distributed equally, Azerbaijan must develop the non-oil private sector and generate additional employment opportunities. Yet the business environment is extremely difficult for small and medium enterprises (SMEs): there are only 33 registered businesses per 1000 people. The 2007 Doing Business report ranks Azerbaijan 99th out of 175 economies on the ease of doing business. The IFC Approach The project, implemented jointly with the World Bank Group’s FIAS and Doing Business departments, will work closely with the Azerbaijan Ministry of Economic Development and regulatory agencies to help analyze and improve the registration, permits and licensing systems in Azerbaijan. The project will work with the government on policy reforms and practical solutions to the main barriers while conducting regular surveys of the SME sector to provide objective information about the business environment and monitor successful implementation of the reforms. To increase awareness among SMEs about regulatory procedures, the project will conduct extensive advocacy and knowledge sharing campaigns. Achievements to Date as of July 1, 2008 2007 – present Supported with funds from BP and its Oil & Gas Partners The project leverages the large oil and gas presence in Azerbaijan to help develop local SMEs around BP’s supply chain. The project works to expand access to finance for local suppliers through the $15 million Supplier Finance Facility and Micro Finance Bank of Azerbaijan.  More...Azerbaijan and Central Asia Primary Mortgage Market Development Project Phase 1, 2005 – 2006, supported with funds from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO) Phase 2, 2006 – present, supported with funds from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO) The project focuses on improving the housing finance legislative framework in Azerbaijan and Central Asia by building institutional capacity for mortgage lending and raising mortgage awareness. By partnering with policymakers, banks, and key stakeholders in the mortgage market, the project works to increase access to affordable housing in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. More...Azerbaijan-Central Asia Leasing Facility www.ifc.org/acalf 2005 – present Supported with funds from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO) The project facilitates the development of the leasing industry in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by strengthening the capacity of selected financial institutions, improving their Management Information Systems, and facilitating improvements in the regulatory framework for leasing in each country. More...Azerbaijan Corporate Governance Project www.ifc.org/acgp 2003 - present Supported with funds from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO) The project works to improve corporate governance practices at Azerbaijani joint stock companies and banks, thus helping them enhance their operations and increase their ability to attract financing and investment. To strengthen the national level of corporate governance, the project works with policymakers to improve corporate governance regulations throughout Azerbaijan. The project partners with educational institutions to assist them in developing corporate governance courses. The project also conducts a national public awareness campaign on the importance of corporate governance. More...SME Linkage Program 2002 Funded by IFC and Private Oil Companies This program, which is linked to IFC’s proposed investments in the Azeri, Chirag, and Deepwater Gunashli (ACG ) oilfield and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline projects, is part of the Corporation’s strategy of working closely with clients and partners to provide developmental support through linkages to major investment projects. Linkage projects have been particularly successful in the extractive industries. The support is directed at expanding local supply and distribution chains to create more opportunities for smaller businesses and to assist in sustainable community development efforts. Specifically, the Azerbaijan small and medium enterprise linkage program is designed to improve the capacity and know-how of local Azeri companies active in the oil and gas service and supply sectors in order to help them benefit from investments in the oil industry. The Program’s clients benefit from (i) provision of targeted advisory services, (ii) improved access to finance and (iii) the creation of local business development service providers. | SITE TOOLS  
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