Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of Ganja Aluminium Plant of DET AL Aluminium LLC

Dear friends, today, it is a memorable day not only in the life of Ganja, but also the entire country. Today, we celebrate the opening of the Ganja Aluminium Plant that has a tremendous importance for the national economy. This is really a great event. It shows also that our country develops successfully and swiftly. All programs are being implemented in our country.

The foundation of this plant was laid down in 2008. I do remember well that day. We have laid down the first stone and afterwards, as you know, the financial and economic crisis has begun in the world. This crisis has impacted on also negatively the aluminium industry. Prices were dropped and the crisis dominated the financial market in general. Thus, the construction of the plant has lingered a bit. But, in spite of this fact, the Azerbaijani state spares no efforts to construct this plant.

The large power substation that has a tremendous importance for the plant activities, was built in this yard. We allocated loans in various periods. The private sector is very confident to the economy and the future of Azerbaijan.

The specific feature of the plant is explained by the fact that this is the large investment made to the non-oil sector, and the products made here will be imported abroad and meet also our domestic consumption. Today, we mark the opening of the first phase of the plant. 50 thousand tons of high quality aluminium will be produced here. In 2013, as a result of start of the second phase, the production output of the plant will reach 100 thousand tons, and then, we will bring this level to 200 thousand tons attracting additional resources in subsequent period.

This is truly a big project for the national project. It is the viable project and opens up good opportunities for creating new jobs. According to the information reported to me, over 600 persons work here. Halted previously due to the crisis, the alumina plant has resumed also its activities recently. It gives jobs to 1200 people. In general, almost 2000 persons got jobs in last months. The construction of this plant is the outcome of industrialization policy conducted in Azerbaijan. Recently, at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, I expressed once again my thoughts on this issue. The strong industrialization process is underway in Azerbaijan. New industrial enterprises are being created. The Government spares no effort for the development of private sector. Small and medium entrepreneurship is developing. Parallel to the development of small and medium entrepreneurship, there is also a big need for the creation of large industrial enterprises. The Ganja Aluminium Plant is among such plants.

This is the large industrial center. Today, we make a first step to create the modern aluminium industry in Azerbaijan. I am confident that we will reach in the future the figures I said. We will quadruple the production output of the plant. Obviously, new opportunities will be opened up here. New jobs will be created, and the non-oil potential of Azerbaijan will be strengthened further. This is also a priority field for us. There are long years that we work for the development of our non-oil economy, put forward our initiatives and observe also good results. According to the outcomes of 2011, the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan has increased almost by 10 percent. This is extremely important for oil and gas rich country. We see our future in the diversified economy. We see our future in the stable economy. Our natural resources are simply a tool for us to develop our country in comprehensive way and create a strong non-oil economy. We are very delighted of steps made in this direction. The start-up of this plant’s activities, I would like to reiterate, will give a big push for the development of non-oil sector.

At the same time, the construction of this plant envisages the regional development program in itself. A particular attention is paid to this program. All our regions are developing. Reconstruction and refurbishment work is underway everywhere. New jobs are being created. Thus, the construction of the steel mill plant is going successfully, and when we laid down the first stone of this plant, it meant also the foundations of the large metallurgy industry. The work is going well in this field.

A very serious work is underway to set up the metallurgy industry. I am sure that in the nearest future, a new production sector – the metallurgy sector – will start in Azerbaijan. On the one hand, we will be able to meet domestic consumption and create a strong export potential.

This is the field which does need to have a particular search for markets because these products such as aluminium and metallurgy products are always required products. I would like to say once again that our increasing industrial potential and programs implemented in the country will be also a support to such plants that need these products in the world. I would like to point once again that the work done in this field covers the general development strategy of Azerbaijan. This is the strategy of modernity and innovation. We wish to apply the most modern experience in all fields. The aluminium produced here is in line with worldwide standards of such products. At the same time, the construction of such plants is very important also for the formation of specialists.

Of course, professionals working here should have good salaries. I have been told that this issue is also being solved.

In a word, the construction of such plants and the process of creating a new industrial field are to be praised. Taking into account the still going financial and economic crisis with its expected new phase in the world, the creation of such a big industrial enterprise in Azerbaijan proves that we are on right track. We are developing. Economy and our industrial potential are increasing in Azerbaijan. Social programs are being implemented. Salaries and pensions are increasing. All these figures have been reported at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the outcomes of last year. In 2011, 20 billion USD has been invested into the national economy. It was only 17.6 billion USD in the previous year. It is a large figure, and this level enables us to develop each region of our country. Large programs are being implemented. Concrete programs, infrastructure programs are implemented fro the development of this region and Ganja. Concrete steps are made to eliminate unemployment. In 2012, larger investments will be made for the creation of social infrastructure. The construction of schools is being continued.

Concrete projects will be implemented to ensure potable water supplies for Ganja. Its sewerage system is being reconstructed. A large scale refurbishment work is carried out in the city. You know that I visit Ganja often times, and starting from this morning, I got familiarized once again with the city. I see that very big and important work is done in the city. The city becomes brighter. It is refurbished. Buildings are repaired. New parks are constructed here. New public places are created. Today, we laid the foundation of the Ganja State Philharmonic Society. I know that this is an event wished by Ganja residents since long time. I am confident that the very splendid and magnificent Ganja Philharmonic Society will start its work in two years from now.

In a word, concrete work is being done in all fields both in Ganja and other regions. Jobs, non-oil sector, development of entrepreneurship, creation of new giant industrial enterprises, schools, medical institutions, homes of culture, refurbishment work – all these show how our country develops. I am very delighted that the programs we adopted in previous years are being implemented. In spite of the crisis, the projects we started become a reality today. We regard the Ganja Aluminium Plant as the development of national industrial potential.

On the occasion of this remarkable event, I would like to congratulate you wholeheartedly. I would like to reiterate that the start-up of this plant with 50 thousand tons of production output is the first step. But it is a very bold step. Big amount of investments are made to the construction of this plant. Both private and public sectors extended their support by presented infrastructure projects. I would like to say this is simply the first step. If everything will go smooth on our plans, the production output in the plant will increase four fold. A new metallurgy compound will be constructed her as well, and thus, it will become a valuable contribution for the national economy.

I congratulate you all once again on the occasion of this important event and wish sound health and happiness to all Ganja residents. Thank you.