Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a juice- and wine-making factory of Az-Granata LLC in Agsu

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a juice- and wine-making factory of Az-Granata LLC in Agsu.

It was indicated that the launch of the factory is vivid evidence of the successful implementation of state programs on the socioeconomic development of districts. The enterprise, covering an area of over 12 hectares, consists of a five-storey office building, a three-storey hotel, an industrial site of 20,000 square meters and ancillary facilities. The six artesian wells drilled at the factory and a water treatment plant with a capacity of 40 tons per day will supply the enterprise with uninterrupted clean water. The entire infrastructure and engineering facilities are in line with modern requirements. Each year the factory will produce 50,000 tons of fruit juices and 12,000 tons of wine. In order to ensure the marketing of finished products, a 2,000 ton warehouse has been built in Baku, a sales center and regional sales offices established.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the layout of the factory, then launched the enterprise and watched the process of fruit intake and processing.

It was noted that the enterprise can take 9-15 tons of fruit an hour. As a sign of respect for the memory of great leader Heydar Aliyev, a photo stand has been set up, reflecting the contribution of the nationwide leader to the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan. There are also images reflecting the history of wine production in Azerbaijan.

The head of state toured the factory’s wine warehouse. It was mentioned that the factory produces wines such as Agsu, Garagez and Belluz, which are made from three grape varieties. The wine is stored in special casks made of American oak.

After examining the process of wine making, President Ilham Aliyev visited the juice packaging site. It was noted that thanks to a centralized network of pipes designed by German specialists the enterprise can package 240 tons of fruit juices.

President Aliyev also visited the sites for wine bottling and for the storage and incubation of finished products, and observed the production of vitamin juices.

While reviewing the process, the President was informed that the factory produces 15 types of fruit juices. There is also a warehouse for storing 2 million finished products cartons.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev toured the office building of the enterprise. The five-storey building has modern working conditions.

The head of state then went to the room for presentations of finished products. It was noted that after four years of inspections the factory’s 700-hectare garden s received the BIO certificate.

Along with the cities and districts of Azerbaijan, the factory will send its products to the CIS and Europe. Initially the enterprise will have a staff of 180 people, but the number of employees will be increased to 350.

The activities of the factory are not limited to the production of goods. It owns 1,000 hectares of usable land on the territories of Shamakhi and Agsu Districts. Of these lands, 700 hectares are vineyards and pomegranate orchards. Currently there are 500 people working there. A further 600 hectares of land will be allocated for future plantations and gardens. In general, 1,500-1,800 people are expected to work at the factory and its gardens in the near future. Special machinery has been acquired to carry out planting and cultivation work in vineyards and pomegranate orchards. All this guarantees the production of high quality exportable goods. Most importantly, the factory will contribute a lot to people’s employment.

After reviewing the factory, the head of state met with the staff and the district public.

Congratulating the ceremony participants, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Let me salute all of you. I am very glad to be in Agsu again. I am very pleased that things are going well in Agsu District, that the district is looking nicer and improving. I came here two years ago and the work carried out since then pleases me very much.

I can say that Agsu is one of the most advanced Azerbaijani districts now, and this pleases me a lot. The improvement and landscaping work under way in Agsu in recent years have markedly increased the district’s potential. I have attended the opening of new enterprises today. A new beautiful and large football stadium has been opened, kids are already training there. I remember listening to information on the construction of a stadium here two years ago and saying that there is no football club in Agsu. If the stadium is built, there must be a football team. According to the information I received today, the team is already in place, children have been involved. Children are already training, and it is very gratifying.

Other issues are also being resolved. As people living here you will probably know that streets are being laid, water supply lines built. When I was here last time, I was informed of a water problem in Agsu, the composition of the water here was not up to par. Funds were allocated and the problem was resolved in a short time. Now we are implementing specific projects to address the problems of water supply and sanitation in general.

Today I have attended the opening of new enterprises. New jobs are created. Of course, of all the work being done today the launch of this factory carries a special meaning. This is one of the biggest processing enterprises not only in Agsu, but possibly even in Azerbaijan. At the same time, it is one of the largest processing ventures in the region, the entire South Caucasus. Very large investment has been made here. Modern equipment has been installed and a technological process introduced. According to my information, the factory is at the level of international standards and its products are of high quality. These products can be and are sold anywhere in the world. The factory director tells me that products are already exported to European countries.

I believe that this very factor demonstrates the quality of any enterprise. It should always be in the spotlight. If we can take our goods, finished products to the markets of developed countries, it means that these products are at a proper level. I am very pleased that this large enterprise is already functioning. This venture will have greatly facilitate the development of both the district and the region. Around 1,000 people are already working here. In the future their number will increase further. Peasants and farmers sell, hand over their products to this factory at affordable prices. So this will inevitably serve agricultural development because the factory is already operational, it receives products. So farmers will be interested in growing more produce and earning more money. Therefore, the launch of this factory serves the following objectives – agricultural development, establishment of processing enterprises and local production, and production of exportable goods. There is a concentration of all these factors here. So the launch of this factory is highly important. It is not just the commissioning of another facility. The operation of this factory, I repeat, will significantly facilitate the development of both Agsu and neighboring regions and districts.

At the same time, the launch of this factory is vivid evidence of our successful economic policy. The current realities have facilitated the implementation of the program on the socioeconomic development of districts which commenced in 2004. If we hadn’t adopted the program and started its second stage in 2009, this factory would have been out of the question.

The development of districts, the implementation of infrastructure projects, the construction of roads and power plants, gasification, the installation of water lines, the attention being paid to the private enterprise, the provision of farmers with fuel and fertilizer on easy terms, the organization of subsidies, the allocation of hundreds of millions in loans through the National Fund on Support for Entrepreneurship – this is what makes these realities possible. Therefore, I attach great importance to and appreciate the launch of the factory. Because at the start of this factory we clearly see the results of the work done in recent years. New production sites are emerging, jobs are created, quality products are produced and delivered to world markets, bringing glory to our country and economy. In the coming years we must strive to expand the geography of our exports. To do this, we are entering new markets. At the last Cabinet meeting I gave special instructions in this regard – we must both access traditional markets and identify new ones. In particular, we must consider that there is a demand for our products in countries friendly to us.

So we will develop our non-oil economy even more rapidly. The results of nine months of this year show that the non-oil economy is developing successfully, it has grown by over eight per cent. It will carry on growing in the coming years. In the future, the Azerbaijani economy must grow largely due to the non-oil sector.

As for the oil and gas sector, things are going well there. All our tasks are being met. At present, we are pleased with the progress made in this area. In the coming years we must strive to make new contributions to the development of agriculture, processing, non-oil industries, so that the economy could develop in a diversified manner.

I am very pleased that all Azerbaijani districts are developing, there is activity in all our districts. As you know, I regularly visit the districts to examine the situation, give instructions and receive suggestions from the ground.

I am pleased with the work carried out in Agsu District in recent years. I appreciate the work done. But, again, we should not settle for this progress, we must go forward and go fast, so that Azerbaijan could always develop and strengthen and the Azerbaijani people could live better.

My congratulations on this wonderful event! I wish the people of Agsu every success.

A resident of the district and employee of Az-Granata LLC, Natig Mammadov, thanked the President for the care and attention paid to Agsu and all other districts of the country.

In a meeting with representatives of the district public, President Ilham Aliyev said consistent measures would continue to be taken to address social issues in Agsu District. He said:

New hospitals are opening in all our districts. Today I attended the opening of the Agdash central district hospital. A new hospital is under construction in Ujar. A clinic and a children's hospital have been opened. Of course, there must and will be medical care in Agsu. I will give an appropriate instruction. A great hospital must be built here.

There must be hospitals in all our districts. At least one district hospital of a high level. This process has gained momentum now. This work is done in various regions of Azerbaijan. If you had raised this issue earlier, we would possibly be opening this hospital today.

But I will give the instruction – there must be a hospital here. Choose a good location. It must be beautiful and modern. There is a stadium. There should probably be an Olympic center too. Schools are under construction. We have also opened the children and youth art center today.

MP Arastun Javadov: The people of Agsu are always ready to justify your confidence in them.

President Ilham Aliyev: Agsu gas indeed become very pretty in recent years. You probably know this better. Streets and buildings are renovated, new parks are set up – I visited one of them today. In general, Agsu is a nice district, a picturesque place. It has beautiful nature – mountains, forests, clean air. Agsu is a resort. We need to make sure that all the buildings, businesses, recreation areas under construction now and in the future are at the level of this enterprise. The director tells me that the enterprise exports its goods to Germany and France. Several years ago we could not even imagine that we can export not only oil and gas, but also juices to developed countries. This is a reality now. It shows that Azerbaijan is developing rapidly, successfully and confidently.

Arastun Javadov: We are proud to buy our products in foreign countries.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course. Last time the head of the district executive authority and you told me that the water in Agsu contains some heavy metals. I am now told that this issue has been resolved.
Head of the district executive authority Anvar Seidaliyev: Yes, it has been at a high level. All water lines in the city have been replaced.

President Ilham Aliyev: They have been and should have been. Gasification is ongoing.

Anvar Seidaliyev: Yes. Gasification is also ongoing. Smartcard meters have been installed everywhere. Smartcard meters have also been installed for electricity.

President Ilham Aliyev: This is more convenient. Everyone will know what he is paying for and won’t have to talk to any controllers. We have introduced this system. We are receiving orders from several countries now, asking our specialists to arrange this system there too. This is a quality and correct system – both for the people and the state. Gasification in Agsu must be carried out by 100 per cent. Gas lines must be built to all the villages. We will probably do this within the next two years.

Local residents thanked the President very much.

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Then a picture was taken.