Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Goozal you were one of the first businessmen who invested into the economy of independent Azerbaijan. What could you say about those days and how much did the investment climate change after Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev assumed the office? 

Abdolbari Goozal, Chairman of the Board, Azersun Holding: We came to Azerbaijan on the recommendation of the late President of Turkey Turgut Ozal at the dawn of independence gained by the country. We developed not only domestic trade but also set the task to help independent Azerbaijan. The situation in the country was not safe but even dangerous when we started our business. People were not able to build long-term plans because of power dispersion and could not even know what they would face the next day. Hopelessness prevailed at that period, the country kept loosing its lands every day and the domestic confrontation was also observed. 

Today we may say that it was the return of Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev to the government of the state on June 15, 1993 marked in Azerbaijan as the Day of national salvation that improved the wellbeing of the Azerbaijani people, opened new horizons for the country, opened Azerbaijan for the whole world as well as revived educational opportunities and material-cultural development. 

It was Heydar Aliyev’s titanic labor that gave a rebirth to the country which occupied an important place in the geopolitical map of the region and the entire world. After the return, Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev managed to stop both the internal confrontation without bloodletting and an undeclared war with Armenia. Azerbaijani army was not developed at that period whereas commanders representing different forces were standing behind Armenia. They had been trained psychologically for a rather long period and launched the war against Azerbaijan unexpectedly. Nevertheless, Heydar Aliyev managed to stop this war despite the advantage that the enemies had. 

I also would like to note that the government and ministers of Turkey did not believe in implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project at that time. There was only one person, Nationwide Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, who believed in it. The representatives of the Turkish Media often asked questions about the oil pipeline. But Heydar Aliyev kept stating diligently: “Don’t worry, we will have the pipeline built”. 

Construction of the main export pipeline named after Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev enabled Azerbaijan to gain a leading position in the region, and play an important role in the energy map of Europe. If Azerbaijan had used the infrastructure of other countries and companies, then the decisive vote would belong to their owners. 

Heydar Aliyev had worked for the supreme council of such country as the USSR. Possessing a big managerial experience he built a whole system of state bodies within a short period of time. Azerbaijan was one of 15 republics of the former Union. If this person governed the country consisting of 15 republics then he could easily govern one of those 15 republics, just like he proved it in practice. 

Within a short period of time he developed a legislative framework, established international relations, instilled confidence in businessmen and encouraged the development of the market based on principles of the market relations. 

We may talk a lot about the Nationwide Leader, but his return to power has fully changed the destiny of the Azerbaijani nation. I think Heydar Aliyev was a miracle for Azerbaijan. 

CE: Which changes were introduced in the system of Azersun Holding after Heydar Aliyev’s return to the government of the country? 

Abdolbari Goozal: We had rented an office, had a depot and sold goods for favorable prices before Heydar Aliyev’s return. Those were mainly food products such as butter, sugar and tea. But when Heydar Aliyev came to power, he called me to his office and said: “You proved to be a conscientious man as you abstain from using the opportunity for raising food products prices to much higher rates. You have to establish your business here because the people are unemployed. So, keep making success and encourage others toward creation of their business here”. First, I was shocked as I had no intentions to make investments then. I only wanted to sell food products at lower prices. My reply was: “Mr. President, no banks, credits and guarantees exist here”. He said: “There is no money but it is me who your guarantee is. Serve to this state”. He was a person with a certain charisma. Energy and charisma of such a phenomenal person as Heydar Aliyev encouraged me to serve the Azerbaijani people. 

Azersun Holding that we represented started investing. He paved a way for us, did not let officials to hinder the business of entrepreneurs, created conditions and instilled confidence in us. He created all conditions for us and everything we realized we did it whole-heartedly. Look at the facilities we commissioned. It is enough to note Flame Towers and Heydar Aliyev center. I am proud that it is my family accounted for the implementation of these projects. 

Heydar Aliyev was a creator. We had to build a facility which could convey the magnificence of this person, display the way the earth splits and the light beam comes out of there. It is our love for Heydar Aliyev’s personality. When Heydar Aliyev center was designed my son spent 10-15 sleepless nights writing a philosophic portrait of Heydar Aliyev so that to convey this idea to the center’s architect. 

CE: The operation of Azersun Holding differs with its many-sidedness. Could you, please, share your vision on the future development of the Holding?

Abdolbari Goozal: Azersun Holding now stays committed to strengthening, improving and expanding the activity of its enterprises and prepares them for the world competition. It is actually so. We are working over improvement of the quality of human resources and strengthening the base of our company. Each success inspires us to be ready for another achievement, for “greater competition”. I mean even greater competition with international companies in the region, including the CIS countries as well. We mean thorough preparation for competition with international companies in the region. 

At the same time we are raising the capacity of our factories. We are working on new projects, but the most important thing, as I have already said, is that Azersun Holding is preparing now for future competition. Objectives to enter new international markets that President Ilham Aliyev sets out for us, businessmen, give us new incentives for development. 

CE: How would you evaluate today’s region-wide activities of Azersun Holding? 

Abdolbari Goozal: Businessmen from Kazakhstan have recently visited us. They want to visit all our enterprises. The achievements of Azerbaijan have already been fixed across the CIS.

The Minister of Agriculture of Turkey, who has recently visited our areas (4,000 hectares) in the Bilasuvar region, said they were the example for Turkey. 

All these are great achievements. At present Azerbaijan is, in its way, a model for development in each separately taken area. 

Azerbaijan’s position is taken into account while making decisions concerning international issues. There is a tolerance to all religions in the country. All this is also our wealth. Maybe it is difficult for the youth to estimate it, but the older generation knows the whole value which this simple word bears. Actually, it entails confidence, welfare, personality and greatness. 

When you think and speak about your family, you should combine and associate this concept, first of all, with the state, the world and the entire humanity. 

Azerbaijan has the huge potential and Heydar Aliyev believed in it. When he said so, we first of all saw oil. But subsequently that potential started revealing and we saw the potential of agriculture and other branches. Now everybody sees that Azerbaijan is a very beautiful and prosperous country.

CE: Which branches, in your opinion, will be especially developed in Azerbaijan in the future? Which areas are priority ones for Azersun Holding?

Abdolbari Goozal: At present we see that the food industry has reached its own rate of development and this development will go on. I consider necessary to develop the sector of construction materials because these materials are often brought from abroad, which, in turn, leads to extra costs. If the local production is established, and not only by our holding, and if local producers pay attention to this, win-win work will be established and people will be able to buy construction materials at cheaper prices. 

I would like to note especially that Azersun Holding’s objective in the food industry is growing by 20% annually. 

In my opinion, Azersun Holding is not simply a company, it is the whole philosophy. In terms of finances, someone probably pays more, but nobody but Azersun Holding offers those conveniences, human qualities and values in the relations. 

Azersun Holding features such qualities as justice and commitment. Azersun Holding's biggest achievement is that we have grown up the whole generation of specialists for Azerbaijan. In any company now there is a leading specialist who once has travelled a path of development in Azersun Holding. I have inculcated my philosophy to them. So, even if they understood 10% of this philosophy, it will be enough to serve properly their families and the state.

CE: Could you, please, share your vision of the future development of Azerbaijan?

Abdolbari Goozal: The National Salvation Day is the holiday of light. The Nationwide Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev formed all management and development schemes in Azerbaijan. But one more precious property of Azerbaijan is President Ilham Aliyev. He promotes the development of business and stays fully committed to following Heydar Aliyev's policy. Heydar Aliyev created the entire system, but there is a need for a person to make everything a reality. Mr. President has realized everything that the Nationwide Leader conceived and put as a base of independent Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev has all the features of the character he inherited from his father - our Nationwide Leader.  This is also a tradition inherent in the Azerbaijani culture. 

Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation, and the prompt jump of development happened over the last 10 years. The entire world sees it, since it is very conveniently to analyze the development of countries. Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev are our wealth, historic figures. They will always remain in the history of both Azerbaijan and the history of the humanity.