Caspian Energy (CE): What did the company manage to achieve last year and what are the plans for 2014?

Huseynaga Rahimov, General Director, Azpetrol Ltd: Azpetrol is one of the numerous companies that were created and developed owing to the successful implementation of the strategic plan for development of entrepreneurship and private sector laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and continued by his worthy successor, President Ilham Aliyev.

I would like to note that we assess the activity of the company in 2013 and in previous years as rather satisfactory. Despite the growing qualitative and quantitative competition, our company managed to preserve leading positions among the companies engaged in retail sales of automobile gasoline in Azerbaijan.

With this respect, in 2014, we intend to continue successful implementation in all spheres with a greater responsibility. 

CE: What attention does the company pay to preserving the high quality of the commercial fuel?

Huseynaga Rahimov: Azpetrol is engaged in retail and wholesale trade of fuel production of the Baku oil refinery named after Heydar Aliyev of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. We supply these products to our consumers without any impurities. 

Certainly, in process of work we pay much attention to the cleanness of containers which is used for transportation and storage of fuel for their compliance with the technical norms and state standards. The timely replacement of refueling aggregates for newer ones is another important factor. On the other hand, the timely fuel quality control and further certification also promotes an effective control in this sphere. 

CE: What work is being done to open new oil refineries in Baku?

Huseynaga Rahimov:   Baku is one of the biggest megalopolises of the world and just like other big cities shows a more dynamic development compared to regions, in this way the capital city accounts for a greater part of fuel consumers. These factors are the main reasons why we pay more instant attention to the capital city.

With this respect, this year we are planning to open new petrol stations in Baku.

Staying loyal to our principles, during construction of new petrol stations we try not only to meet the demands of our customers for comfort, but also to comply with the ancient and unique architecture of our capital city, preserving its single wholeness while creating the petrol stations and trying to add more beauty to the city. As an example, I would especially like to single out the two petrol stations that we have built on one of the main highways of Baku-the Heydar Aliyev Avenue. 

CE: What is the Petrol Plus online system and what new advantages does this system ensure for the customers?

Huseynaga Rahimov:  As is known, Azpetrol Ltd has started to provide the service of Petrol Plus Offline card system payment to our customers since 2002. Considering the fact that the number of our customers using this system is growing every day, it was decided to replace this system with Petrol Plus Online meeting all modern information technologies and security. 

The advantages of this system which was launched in 2011 and gained a great popularity within a very short period of time include the following:

• reliability of information-if POS-terminals fail for any reason, the information will still be stored in operative memory;
• ability to provide services to customers in operative mode (the customers enjoy an opportunity to pay for production in any place and anytime without attending the offices of the company).
• Ability to control the account online
• Ability to block the lost card of the customer within a short period of time. 

CE: What are the additional services that Azpetrol provides to its clients?

Huseynaga Rahimov:  Azpetrol trademark is the most recognizable sign in the territory of Azerbaijan and is often a symbol of high quality products and service.

The main function of the company includes the retail sales of gasoline of various grades namely AI 95, AI 92 and AI 98, as well as diesel fuel and liquid gas.

We have signed medium and long-term contracts with a number of foreign and local companies operating in Azerbaijan.

The quality of our products is checked in a timely manner according to state standards and is provided with the due quality certificate.

Since 2001, the company has been providing services on cashless payment. To date, the number of companies using the card system has exceeded 4,000. Since 2006, petrol stations have received payments by Master Card, Euro Card and Visa Card.

In addition, for the convenience of customers, we also provide services for the maintenance repair of vehicles, their washing through the relevant facilities operating in the territory of our petrol stations. 

CE: Do you expect any changes or innovations in petrol stations network after the shift to Euro-4 standards?

Huseynaga Rahimov:  I have to note that we are not engaged in production, we are involved only in the sale of fuel that does not require any additional changes or innovations in our service stations in the transition to the new standard. The correspondence of the tanks that store fuel, and equipment and inventory to modern technology and requirements is enough for this.

CE: Which policy does the company pursue in staff training?

Huseynaga Rahimov:  Opening and commissioning of numerous petrol stations in Azerbaijan, particularly in rural areas and regions, including the opening of new permanent jobs suggests that successful staff policy is one of the priorities of the company.

To date, the company has about 3,000 employees. The issue of increasing the personnel is under our constant attention and closely monitored.

It is very difficult to achieve goals without a responsible and disciplined workforce. That is why the creation and preservation of the staff consisting of responsible and highly qualified professionals is one of the major objectives of the company. It's safe to say that Azpetrol copes with this task. This is possible through serious competitive selection while hiring and staff development by organizing various trainings. The educational and training centers of the company ensure the training and preparation of candidates for vacant seats. The trainings are held, the candidates are involved in the practice at the company. Upon completion of the trainings, a special commission checks the practical and theoretical knowledge, then the candidates who are able to pass the exam are employed. This process allows our employees to cope with the tasks adequately.

CE: To what extent does the company manage to meet the client’s requests?

Huseynaga Rahimov: Nowadays the main goal pursued by Azpetrol is the preservation and further development of its positions in the private sector and making contribution to economic development. We intend to further expand the scope of the company, embrace the territory of all the regions with our services, create new jobs, develop a variety of services, as well as study innovations in the field of company’s activity with a view to their further implementation and application in Azerbaijan.

As is known, a company can achieve success and development only if there are highly potential, hardworking, intellectually developed people within its team. We have always noted that one of the greatest achievements of the company is to have such a professional team. That's why we always try not only to improve the material well-being of our employees, but also to create the most comfortable working environment that would meet all modern requirements.

It is clear that gaining and maintaining high rankings for many years in the country, which has created favorable conditions for business development, would be very difficult for any company. We have invested and continue to invest considerably in this direction. The main factor that ensures complete customer satisfaction  is the creation of a company that meets all international standards  and is equipped with the most modern and advanced technologies and improving progressive technologies of Oilbases, Carpool, the network of petrol stations, service centers, providing quality technical support, car wash centers, cafes, motels, shops, etc.