In September Azerbaijan is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Contract of the Century, a watershed moment in the history of independent Azerbaijan. The contract signature served as a powerful boost to the dynamic economic development. In terms of the entire history of the country, 20 years is not a long period actually, but still the changes that it brought to almost all industry sectors, bear a global significance for Azerbaijan. During those years our country developed into a regional leader in all areas. The political and economic achievements of Azerbaijan are impressive: just a little while ago Azerbaijan was ranked 38th among 144 countries in Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 of the World Economic Forum. Azerbaijan was the first CIS state to join the UN Security Council. Our republic is the initiator of large regional projects. Azerbaijan takes a lead in the region in terms of attracting foreign investments. Moreover investors find attractive not only such sectors as energy, but also agriculture, information technologies, tourism, construction and others. One of the most positive factors of the successful domestic policy of Azerbaijan is ongoing reforms and social programmes, which bring prosperity to the people of Azerbaijan and improve their living conditions.
Once signed, the Contract of the Century laid a foundation for all these achievements. This milestone event followed the organisation of the 1st International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference, masterminded by Heydar Aliyev, in independent Azerbaijan. The exhibition and conference organizers are ITE Group plc and Iteca Caspian. The exhibition and conference aim at making the world aware of the serious oil and gas potential of Azerbaijan. At the same time, prior to signature of such a historic contract as the Contract of the Century there was a need to see the full range of proposals to be made by future partners to Azerbaijan. Today Caspian Oil and Gas is the efficient platform to present the rich oil-gas and transit potential of Azerbaijan, its attractiveness for foreign investors, innovations in the global energy industry and the place to bring the leading experts of the industry together, where key agreements and contracts are signed so that to continue cooperation. At present, the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference testify the successful implementation of agreements under the Contract of the Century and demonstrate prospects of the oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan.
Heydar Aliyev, who did understand the value of that historical day - the signature of the Contract of the Century, issued the decree announcing September 20 as a professional holiday of Azerbaijan oilmen. Petroleum production is a difficult, responsible and honest labour of hundreds of thousands of people of different specialities. Nowadays it is hard to imagine any life sphere without products of this industry. This is the reason why the oil industry is by right referred to as the national wealth of the country, the foundation of its dynamic growth and the ground for energy security. This solemn day brings together hundreds of thousands of people that work to the benefit of the industry.
On behalf of Iteca Caspian and on my own behalf I would like to congratulate you, dear oilmen, on your professional holiday and the anniversary of the Contract of the Century! With your labour you have paved the way to the new oil era of Azerbaijan. We wish you health, happiness and prosperity! My special congratulations on this remarkable date to the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, standing at the origins of the Contract of the Century, as well as the senior managers and staff of SOCAR! We sincerely thank you for your labour and wish all your endeavours to become reality, new production successes for the benefit and prosperity of Azerbaijan!
