Projet bf2015v2 d%c3%a9taill%c3%a913 03 2015 en short

The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS)

presents the second edition of its flagship event:

Business Forum France–Azerbaijan

Towards a diversified, decentralised economy

13 May 2015 at L’Hôtel de l’Industrie Société d’Encouragement pour l’Industrie Nationale 4 Place Saint-­‐Germain, 75006 Paris, France

By invitation

Presentation

The TEAS Foundation (The European Azerbaijan Society) is dedicated to developing EU–Azerbaijani best practice exchange and business network connections. Its goal is to facilitate investments and the creation of strategic commercial partnerships in the private sector. This flagship event will aim to:

• outline the opportunities and risks of undertaking economic and commercial co-­‐operation with Azerbaijan • disseminate the most recent data regarding the Azerbaijani investment climate and investors’ concerns, together with identifying the potential areas of economic and industrial co-­‐operation • disuss the possible policy reforms that could help strengthen economic co-­‐operation between Azerbaijan and European countries, and exchange best practice information to increase the level of internal and foreign investments • present the opportunities arising from economic diversification in Azerbaijan, thereby reducing overreliance on hydrocarbons, and identifying the strategic sectors for future economic and industrial development, particularly in the private sector.

This year, the France–Azerbaijan Business Forum will explore the following topics:

• doing business in Azerbaijan • diversification of the Azerbaijani economy, including transportation, ICT, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and food-­‐processing • energy co-­‐operation, ranging from oil and gas to renewables.

The TEAS France–Azerbaijan Business Forum is expected to attract a wide-­‐ranging and well-­‐informed audience, including diplomats, politicians, investors, bankers, journalists, experts, NGO representatives and French and Azerbaijani experts from the public and private sector.

TEAS Business Forum France-­‐Azerbaijan is organised with the kind support of :

Mr André Reichardt, Senator of the Bas-­‐Rhin Region and President of the France-­‐Caucasus Friendship Group at the Senate

and Mrs Nathalie Goulet, Senator of the Orne Region

B2B Meetings

Interested companies are kindly requested to register before 5 May 2015 with Ms Marie-­‐Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France E-­‐mail : marie-­‐laetitia.gourdin@teas.eu

Main partner

Partners

Ambassade de France en Azerbaïdjan

Sponsors

Programme (draft)

13 May 2015

8:30 Registration (badges issued)

Opening

9:00–10:15 INTRODUCTORY SESSION: Why is Azerbaijan a strategic economic partner for

10:15– 11:15

11:15– 11:30 11:30– 12:45

12:45– 14:00 14:00– 15:30

15:30– 15:45

France and Europe ?

SESSION 1 : Doing business in Azerbaijan – the climate for overseas investment, status of the market, and reforms and opportunities

For many entrepreneurs, Azerbaijan embodies the attraction of a frontier market with considerable potential for French stakeholders, but with a business environment that remains little-­‐known. This session will provide information on the most recent studies on doing business in Azerbaijan, outlining how the country is now welcoming foreign investors and companies, and undertaking numerous internal reforms to ensure legislation is commensurate with international standards.

Coffee break SESSION 2 : Economic diversification as a priority – Azerbaijan, the new market of the South Caucasus

Azerbaijan is dynamically diversifying its economy away from overreliance on the oil and gas sectors. This session will focus on the Azerbaijani strategy of economic diversification, and will consider the key sectors in which the country is investing, including transportation, ICT, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food-­‐processing and infrastructure.

Lunch break (standing) Short presentation of the European Games Baku 2015

SESSION 3 : Energy and environmental co-­‐operation with Azerbaijan – from hydrocarbons to alternative energy resources

Azerbaijan is renowned for its extensive oil and gas resources, and will soon make an important contribution to EU energy security, supplying gas to mainland Europe through the Southern Corridor. This session will provide invaluable information on the current status of the Trans-­‐Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Trans-­‐Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) projects, which should become operational in 2018–19. Conversely, Azerbaijan is blessed with solar, wind and wave energy, and has great potential to diversify its energy resources. French companies could assist by exporting their technologies and expertise regarding the renewable energy generation technologies. However, Azerbaijan could also implement measures aimed at optimising energy efficiency and improving waste management. The country is also now considering the construction of reactors to produce civil nuclear energy. This session will explore these options.

Conclusions

Closing