State committee head says economic revival is key to restoring Azerbaijan's liberated territories

Economic revival is an important component of the reconstruction process in the liberated territories, stated Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, at the event titled "Cities at the center of connectivity: urban reconstruction and regional cooperation" organized within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, Report informs

He noted that two industrial parks with a total area of 400 hectares have already been established in Aghdam and Jabrayil: "Today, more than 50 resident companies are operating or implementing projects in these zones, and total investment has exceeded 282 million dollars. The local economy in the liberated territories is currently focused on construction materials, manufacturing, food products, logistics, tourism, retail and commercial development, while also creating thousands of new employment opportunities."

According to A. Guliyev, the restoration of cultural heritage is an essential part of the reconstruction agenda: "More than 750 historical and cultural monuments are located in the liberated territories, many of which have suffered serious damage in recent decades. To date, more than 20 monuments have already been restored, while new memorial complexes, museums and cultural institutions are currently being designed and developed. At the same time, strategic infrastructure projects such as railway and transport hubs are strengthening regional connectivity and supporting future economic activity. The new Mugham Center is dedicated to the Azerbaijani national music genre, which is deeply connected to the Karabakh region. A secondary school designed for 960 students is operating in the area to provide quality education to the city's young generation. New motels contribute to the development of tourism and business activities within the region. The 18th-century Emirlik complex, a historical monument, has been carefully restored as part of broader cultural reservation efforts."