IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Confederation of Entrepreneurs hosted a round table in Baku last month encouraging producers to improve food safety standards to help meet export market requirements, increase sales and attract investment.
The event brought together food producers, consultants, government representatives, retail chains, and agribusiness associations.
Mammad Musayev, president of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic, said agriculture has great potential to drive economic diversification beyond the energy sector.
“Improved food safety standards will help companies strengthen their position on local and export markets and create opportunities for growth in the sector.”
The event was part of IFC’s Agribusiness Standards Advisory Program in Europe and Central Asia, supported with funds from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance.
Aliya Azimova, IFC country representative in Azerbaijan, said: “I hope more companies will start introducing international food safety standards, which will help local food businesses become more competitive and ultimately benefit consumers.”