Azerbaijan eyes close ties with UAE

Azerbaijan`s Ambassador to the UAE Dashgin Shikarov said that the country has good perspectives for strengthening of cooperation in such spheres as trade, tourism, agriculture, investment, according to AzerNews.

The envoy made the remark during his meeting with Ruler of the Emirate Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. During the meeting the envoy gave thorough information about favorable business climate, economic indices and large regional projects in Azerbaijan and invited business circles of the Emirate to invest in the country.  

He further mentioned that the opening of direct flights between Azerbaijan and Fujairah, particularly its regions, will give a stimulus for the development of the cooperation.  

Mentioning facilitation of visa regime between Azerbaijan and the UAE, the envoy said that the measure allowed to increase tourist inflow to the country by 25-30 times, while the number of operated flights between the states grew up to 28 within a week.

Currently, there is a visa-free regime for persons with diplomatic and service passports, and since 2015, the UAE citizens has been visiting Azerbaijan on the basis of a simplified visa system. Citizens o f the UAE can obtain entry visa, valid for 30 days’ stay, at any international airport in Azerbaijan.

Shikarov said that Air Arabia will launch operation of flights en route Baku-Sharjah-Baku (the third largest and third most populous city in the UAE) in March 2017.

Some 223 UAE companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between the countries amounted to almost $58 million as of the end of the third quarter of 2016, with some $50 million falling to a share of import from the country. The figure is 24 percent higher as compared to the same period of 2015.

Recently, the two countries agreed to establish a joint investment fund to facilitate the implementation of joint investment in mutually beneficial projects.

The UAE recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991, while diplomatic relations between the sides were established on September 01, 1992.