UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy: UK is ready and willing to help in any sector that Azerbaijan would like - INTERVIEW

"The UK is of course the largest investor in Azerbaijan"

London. 1 November. REPORT.AZ/ Report News Agency interview with the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Baroness Emma Nicholson.

How do you assess the current economic relations between Azerbaijan and the UK?

Relations between Azerbaijan and the UK are first class. We work well together - the gas pipeline from Baku is an excellent example of cooperation and collaboration. I am pleased to be so closely engaged with Azerbaijan. The UK is of course the largest investor in Azerbaijan and I am delighted by the jobs, economic development and energy security that results from our partnership.

Is there a potential for improving the trade turnover between the two countries? What areas of economic cooperation can be developed?

There is great potential for higher levels of trade, both in the oil and gas sector and a number of other areas of the economy. British companies are interested in trading in a number of areas: agriculture, healthcare, aerospace, renewable energy and digital technologies, to name a few. I was particularly pleased to hear that an agreement was signed last week between the Ministry of Energy and BP for a UK company WS Atkins to look at the scope for hydro-electric power in Azerbaijan.

The UK will of course continue to trade heavily with EU, even after we leave. However we will be taking the opportunity to expand our trading relationships with countries outside the EU, such as Azerbaijan.

How can UK help in diversification of Azerbaijan's economy and developing of its non-oil sector?

The UK is ready and willing to help in any sector that Azerbaijan would like, tourism for example.

Properly structured tourism can generate a huge income for a country. The UK has a strong track record over the last 30 years of developing our tourist industry, which is now one of the biggest in the globe.

I am pleased that many of our citizens have already visited Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is globally known for its sporting achievements and diversity. British people are keen on sport. There are many other things in which Azerbaijan leads the world, chess for example. The UK is keen on chess as well.

Can we expect any increase in UK investment in Azerbaijan's non-oil secton? If yes, in what projects and in what volumes?

The UK is Azerbaijan’s biggest foreign investor already. There are many further opportunities. I have enjoyed and valued the chance my position has given me to introduce Azerbaijan to the London stock exchange. This is a great step forward.

It has also been fascinating to get to know Azerbaijan’s new financial services authority and to bring them together with the city of London’s equivalent authority.

What Azerbaijani products are interesting to a British customer and what can be exported?

Azerbaijan has many amazing products - everything from honey right to carpets. The UK is interested in Azerbaijan’s products. So, there is a real opportunity for more of those goods to come to the United Kingdom.

I am lucky enough to visit Azerbaijan relatively regularly now. It has been 10-12 times already in the last few years. And I see some of these fantastic products. For example, I witnessed the production of silk scarves with unique patterns on them, which are very ancient and very beautiful.

Are there any new upcoming visits or new deals expected?

Your agriculture minister has said that he would like to come, which would be excellent. We don’t have a precise date yet. But I have already arranged with the National Farmers Union and through the Agriculture Department here that he will enjoy an excellent programme, visiting farms, visiting the NFU, talking with business and small farmers alike.

My first constituency when I was elected by the House of Commons was one of Britain’s biggest farming constituencies. For 10 years I was representing farmers here. When I was elected for the European Parliament I was put on the agricultural committee. So I am keenly interested in food production, food processing and distribution.

I am very hopeful that we can build a very good relationship between the agriculture minister from Azerbaijan and agricultural minister in the UK. It is a subject which is very close to my heart indeed.

I am hopeful that I will be in Azerbaijan very soon as well. Last time I had the huge excitement of helping to celebrate 100 years of votes for women - the centenary of democracy truly for all was fantastic. I am also a good friend of the chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She has a tremendous personality and I am hopeful next time we might do more together.

How many British companies are operating in Azerbaijan and in which sectors are they representing the UK most of all?

Around 250 British companies are operating in Azerbaijan. I would like to double and treble that. Mostly they are representing the oil and gas industry. President Aliyevhimself has informed me that he wishes to see diversification. I am bringing new people, new ideas. Our British Embassy in Baku is working incredibly hard on that as well. And I think London, one of the major cities in the globe, can be uniquely helpful in diversification.

I have also discussed public health with Mehriban Aliyeva, the Vice President of Azerbaijan. There is a great opportunity for public health development in Azerbaijan. This is very important for families all over the country. We are very privileged in the UK because we have the National Health Service.

Can Brexit and the UK exit from a number of EU agreements influence the relations with Azerbaijan in the future?

Brexit frees up Britain to trade more freely as she wants, that is why I support Brexit. It gives us our place back in the global world. We had a wonderful 43 years, and we were the second biggest net contributor to the European Union. Basically, the EU has been financially supported by Germany and Britain from the beginning. We have been delighted to do that, we have helped to stabilize Western Europe which before that have been fighting almost non-stop. We have made wonderful steps, but now it is time to look wider again. That is what Britain is doing.

Brexit will open more doors that have for a while been partly shut to us because of the deep membership of the EU and now we look wider again which gives an opportunity to a greater strength.

Aytan Abbaslı