Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the inauguration of cableway and ski slope No.2 of Shahdag Winter-Summer Tourism Complex

This is a great and momentous day in the life of our country. Azerbaijan’s first skiing resort is being commissioned. The first skiing track is ready and we have marked its opening. This is a major and historic event indeed. Azerbaijan has never had skiing resorts before. Not even in Soviet times. Today, independent Azerbaijan is capable of making great achievements. We are developing and modernizing our country. All parts of independent Azerbaijan must develop.

Thanks to the opening of this skiing resort, thousands of vacancies will be opened here, people will be provided with jobs and receive good salaries. This resort is hugely important for the development of the northern zone. People living in Gusar, Guba and adjacent districts will be provided with jobs, the highest level of services will be organized here. Modern hotels and entertainment centers are under construction. These lifts are already beginning to operate. In other words, I am sure that residents of our country and visitors will have the best conditions here.

In establishing this tourist center we aimed to ensure that the infrastructure to be built and commissioned here meets the highest standards. The world’s best practices and downhill skiing opportunities of the most developed countries were studied. The most advanced technologies and practices are being introduced here too. I do hope that all the work that is part of the first stage will be completed in the near future so that this wonderful resort could open its doors to people, to the residents of Azerbaijan before the end of this year. This is a major historic event. A downhill skiing resort is being established in Azerbaijan for the first time.

I also hope that additional investment will be made here in the coming years. At the first stage, all investment is made by the state. Roads, electricity, gas and water lines are being laid by the state. The entire infrastructure, the first hotel is being built by the state. I do hope that the private sector, investors and local businessmen will invest in this wonderful region. A modern and large tourist center will be established here.

This year has been declared the Year of Tourism in Azerbaijan. Several modern hotels will be opened in Baku and other cities and districts of the country this year. One of them will be opened here, in Gusar District, at the Shahdag Winter-Summer Tourism Complex. The investment to be made here in the coming years will turn these places into international tourist center number one. We have made this possible.

When I first came here, there was nothing on this territory. There were only mountains and snow. In fact, there are no residential settlements in the vicinity. By selecting this place and engaging foreign specialists, we have turned this myth into a reality. In addition to the development of tourism, the establishment of this resort is important because it demonstrates that independent Azerbaijan can do great things. We set a task and fulfill it with the highest quality and at the best possible level.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Azerbaijan on this great event. I want to thank all the companies working at this wonderful center, Azerbaijani specialists and construction workers for doing the work at a high level. I want to express hope again that the citizens of Azerbaijan can begin using these wonderful opportunities before the end of this year. Congratulations again!