Atakishiyev: Green standards must not become barriers for SMEs

Green standards should not turn into obstacles that only large companies can afford, Rufat Atakishiyev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) under the Ministry of Economy, said during the Business Assembly at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, according to Report.

He explained that KOBIA is actively working to raise awareness of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) and to support the green business environment in Azerbaijan:

"We have supported initiatives to help SMEs better understand and adapt to changing market expectations through ESG standards, sustainability awareness, and practical support mechanisms. This includes the ESG Hub, which brings together information, services, experts, and practical resources on ESG and sustainable business practices. Such platforms are vital because many SMEs want to adapt but often don't know where to start."

Atakishiyev emphasized that for a small contractor or builder, applying green standards should not sound overly complex:

"It can mean using energy‑efficient materials, reducing waste, improving efficiency, adopting digital tools, and gradually implementing greener construction standards. But we must be cautious, because ‘green standards" should not become yet another barrier that only big companies with large budgets can overcome."