Partnership contract signed to boost sustainable development through inception of small family businesses in the Sheki-Zaqatala region through ABAD
A signing ceremony was conducted on 13 December 2017 in Baku to mark the inauguration of a new project aimed at providing necessary support for the development of small family businesses in the Sheki-Zaqatala Economic Zone in Azerbaijan. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, the project will entail a close collaboration with the “ABAD” Public Legal Entity and the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
A ceremony was declared open by a key note delivered by Chairman of the State Agency, Inam Karimov, who noted that in recent years, large-scale reforms in the socio-economic sphere, including public administration, are being implemented in our Republic. And as a result of these reforms, today “ASAN service” is enrolled to the list of one outstanding platforms that had been initiated by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. According to his words, by opening new centers, the quality of the public services delivery has reached to the next level. He mentioned, that one of the next initiatives implemented to simplify the life of our citizens are “ABAD” centers. In addition, he said: “”ABAD” has a special place among the projects implemented to promote the development of small-scale family businesses and farms and contribute to regional development. It is a new social innovation concept that supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and is the result of reforms in the field of social services in Azerbaijan”.
Mr. Kestutis Jankauskas, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan, by his speech, mentioned that “ASAN service” is an effective project from the context of public services delivery in Azertbaijan, anti-corruption and good governance. Also, he mentioned his satisfaction to cooperate with “ASAN service” and “ABAD” public legal entity. At the end wished good luck to all partners.
Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative, first of all, congratulated all ASAN family members on occasion of launch of a new regional “ASAN service” center in Guba. He mentioned, that Azerbaijani brand - “ASAN service” received the 1st place with the special prize in the category of “Improvement of the public service delivery” and awarded with a diploma. Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai, also, stressed that, the project will support and promote Azerbaijan’s efforts in developing community-based family businesses and rural entrepreneurship and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Committed to continuously helping communities, where we operate, to grow organically and holistically, UNDP sees the newly launched initiative as a promising opportunity to stimulate and facilitate economic regeneration and job creation in the Sheki-Zaqatala Economic Region.
At the end of event, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Inam Karimov and Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative signed a partnership contract to boost sustainable development through inception of small family businesses in the Sheki-Zaqatala region through “ABAD”.