Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan’s Economy Ministry will organize an export mission of local entrepreneurs to Qatar in February 2017.

The mission, which is scheduled for February 11-14, will represent such local products as fruit and vegetables, mineral water, fruit juices, pastry, wine and other alcoholic beverages, honey, tea, and others.

Participants of the mission will be defined on the basis of a competition to be held on January 26, 2016 at the office of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO).

Qatar is a net food-importing country, which relies heavily on food imports meeting nearly 90 percent of its food demands through imports.

Back in 2010, Azerbaijan's food industry was represented in Qatar for the first time. Leading Qatari company Royal Food Services, engaged in import and export organized the sale of juices of the "Gilan Holding Company in Qatar and the production enjoyed popularity among consumers.

The promotion of Azerbaijani products in Qatar is expected to significantly contribute to the trade turnover between the two countries.

Azerbaijan is sending trade missions to various countries since November 2016 to increase its exports. Missions have already been organized to China and the UAE, while the list of planned destinations for 2017 includes Germany, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Only 10 export missions may be held within a year, while exporters participating in missions are freely provided with accommodation, transport and translation services.

A total of 3 million manats ($1.84 million) has been allocated out of the Azerbaijani President’s Reserve Fund in the 2016 State Budget to finance the export support measures.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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