Exporters Conducted More Than 450 Bilateral Business Meetings in Baku

The Türkiye-Azerbaijan Trade Delegation and B2B Meetings were held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, under the organization of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM). The event, which brought together companies from both countries, witnessed the realization of more than 450 bilateral business meetings.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and organized by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), in cooperation with the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBİA), the “Türkiye-Azerbaijan Trade Delegation and B2B Meetings” program was convened in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The delegation, led by TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, comprised Members of the TİM Board of Directors as well as nearly 40 companies from 15 distinct sectors across Türkiye. The opening session was attended by Mustafa Gültepe, Ambassador of Türkiye to Baku Birol Akgün, KOBİA Chairman Orkhan Mammadov, Advisor to the Executive Director of AZPROMO Şebnem Allahverdiyeva, and 250 Azerbaijani company representatives.

“There is potential to increase our bilateral trade volume to 15 billion dollars”

In his opening address, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe emphasized that the cultural, economic, and social bonds between the two countries continue to strengthen with each passing year, underscoring that new partnerships would be forged through trade.

Noting that TİM represents more than 160,000 exporters across 27 sectors and 61 associations, Gültepe stated, "We play an active role in all matters concerning foreign trade in Türkiye. Trade fairs, buyer delegations, and trade missions constitute a significant part of our activities. We are in Baku for one such delegation."

Highlighting that Türkiye and Azerbaijan are two formidable states of this geography, Gültepe continued as follows:

"However, the trade volume between our countries remains below the desired level. Recently, our bilateral trade volume has reached approximately 7 billion dollars. As one nation, two states, we firmly believe that we possess the potential to elevate this figure to 15 billion dollars in the medium term. Indeed, we are observing the positive effects of the Preferential Trade Agreement between our countries. The protocol expanding the scope of this cooperation is also reflecting extremely favorably on our trade. With the advantages offered by the agreement, more than 11,300 of our companies exported to Azerbaijan last year. When examined by sectors, chemicals rank first with exports amounting to 537 million dollars, followed by defense and aerospace with 362 million dollars, and our electrical and electronics sector with 233 million dollars. On the import side, chemicals, iron and non-ferrous metals, and textiles stand out."

“We will establish a direct connection to the Turkic world through the Zangezur Corridor”

Pointing out the rapid growth of the Azerbaijani economy, Gültepe stated that strategic collaborations could be undertaken across numerous fields.

Emphasizing that they attach great importance to the projects in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, TİM Chairman Gültepe stated, "The Zangezur Corridor will provide an uninterrupted land connection to Baku via Nakhchivan. This holds immense significance for our country as well. Once the corridor is opened, we will establish a direct link to the Turkic world. Azerbaijan, in turn, will transform into a global logistics hub. There are substantial opportunities for meaningful cooperation between our countries across diverse sectors."

Stressing that a firm resolve to strengthen trade must be demonstrated amid rising tensions and uncertainties in the region, Gültepe affirmed that they would continue to work, produce, and reinforce trade and friendship for a strong Türkiye and a strong Azerbaijan.

“The corridor will accelerate new partnerships”

Ambassador of Türkiye to Baku Birol Akgün stated that they are exerting intensive and coordinated efforts with Azerbaijan to enhance trade and to establish the necessary climate of trust and long-term planning opportunities.

Referring to the growing interest of international actors in the region in connection with certain regional and global developments, Akgün remarked that a new phase is underway—one that presents significant opportunities alongside certain risks.

Noting that Türkiye and Azerbaijan have demonstrated exemplary cooperation through joint steps that further reinforce both regional and global dynamics in this process, Birol Akgün stated:

"We are closely following how the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, conducted in mutual coordination with Türkiye, particularly through the Zangezur Corridor, will constitute a new beginning in strengthening the Middle Corridor along the east-west axis. Within this framework, in addition to sectors such as energy, transportation, and construction, we also assess that fields including digital technologies, artificial intelligence, information technologies, and financial technologies offer substantial potential. We will continue to support the cooperation of our private sectors in these critical industries."

Emphasizing their desire for the private sector to play an active role in development, growth, and the efficient utilization of markets, Akgün stated, "We believe that through our joint efforts, we will achieve our medium-term target of increasing the trade volume between our countries to 15 billion dollars at the earliest opportunity. Beyond this, as Türkiye and Azerbaijan, we aim to produce together, grow stronger together, and carry our countries toward more prosperous tomorrows in unity."

Emphasis on Exports and Cooperation for SMEs

KOBİA Chairman Orkhan Mammadov underscored that SMEs have recently made significant contributions to economies, stating, "The development of these enterprises is directly linked to international cooperation and access to foreign markets. Within the scope of these meetings, we believe that productive negotiations will be conducted to enhance bilateral trade relations, increase the export potential of SMEs, and expand B2B business engagements."

Advisor to the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), Şebnem Allahverdiyeva, also expressed that organizing such large-scale events among business communities would make a meaningful contribution to strengthening commercial relations between the two countries and to the more effective evaluation of investment opportunities in Azerbaijan.

More Than 450 Bilateral Business Meetings

Following the opening speeches, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe visited the participating exporter companies to receive detailed information about their products and services. Nearly 40 representatives of Turkish exporter firms met with 250 Azerbaijani businesspeople and conducted more than 450 bilateral business meetings.