MP Ali Masimli Questions 2.7% GDP Growth Forecast for Azerbaijan in 2027

Member of Parliament Ali Masimli raised critical concerns regarding the macroeconomic projections outlined in the draft 2027 state budget, scrutinizing the feasibility of targeted growth rates, capital investment efficiency, inflation risks tied to social outlays, rural gasification, and shadow economy reduction.

Pointing out that GDP grew by only 1.5% and non-oil GDP by 2.6% over the first nine months of 2026, Masimli asked: "On what additional catalysts does the government rely to project an abrupt rise to 2.7% GDP growth in 2027, an average 3.3% expansion through 2030, and a 4.4% surge in non-oil GDP? With modest growth rates, can Azerbaijan fully achieve its five national priorities under the 2030 strategy without systemic structural reforms?"

While noting the scale of state investments, Masimli remarked that funding allocations heavily tilted toward basic construction and assembly works rather than innovation, calling for full compliance with long-standing Chamber of Accounts audit recommendations. He also urged the government to implement robust counter-inflationary safeguards so that elevated social spending is not eroded by rising living costs. Highlighting that several villages across the Sheki and Qakh districts still lack natural gas infrastructure, the lawmaker argued that delegating gasification exclusively to SOCAR's internal balance sheet could delay completion for decades while causing severe ecological damage from firewood deforestation. Furthermore, Masimli stressed that curbing the informal shadow economy holds significant untapped revenue reserves for the state treasury over the 2027–2030 cycle.