The official visit of Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, to the Czech Republic marked a significant step in advancing economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. The high-level business roundtable held during the visit was more than a diplomatic gesture—it served as a strategic gateway for Azerbaijan’s global economic integration and access to Western markets.
A Digital Future
As Minister Jabbarov emphasized, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic reached $485 million USD in the first half of 2025. This increase is not merely about numbers—it reflects mutual trust and a shared commitment to building a resilient economic model.
The Strategic Partnership Declaration signed in 2015 and the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement signed in 2011 have solidified the legal foundation of bilateral trade. These documents have made the business climate more transparent, secure, and attractive to investors.
Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: From Technology to Tourism
The meeting explored cooperation in various sectors including trade, transportation, agriculture, energy, industry, technology, and tourism. A particularly notable focus was Azerbaijan’s interest in Czech technology within the framework of its “smart village” and “smart city” initiatives.
Minister Jabbarov invited major Czech industrial players—especially Škoda and Agrofert—to invest in these projects. This reflects Azerbaijan’s commitment to a tech-driven development model and its broader green transformation strategy.
He also highlighted other strategic areas such as the Alat Free Economic Zone and the Zangezur Corridor, which are becoming new hubs of attraction for international investors. Czech interest in these areas signals the emergence of a new economic ecosystem.
Currently, more than 25 Czech companies operate in Azerbaijan. Between 1995 and 2021, Czech investment in Azerbaijan totaled $48 million, while Azerbaijani companies invested $37 million in the Czech Republic over the same period.
Industrial Powerhouses and Confidence in the Future
Presentations by companies such as Chemoprojekt, Czechoslovak Group, Škoda, Mavel, Omnipol, TES VSETÍN, and VSL Group laid the groundwork for significant technology and industrial knowledge transfer to Azerbaijan. David Müller from the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade reaffirmed Czech companies’ strong interest in this collaboration.
A Strategic Path: A New Phase in Economic Diplomacy
This event sent an important signal not only for Azerbaijan but for the region as a whole. Closer ties with a technologically advanced EU member like the Czech Republic underline Azerbaijan’s increasing integration with Western markets, its ambition to build a more competitive economic model, and its image as a reliable partner for international investors.
With nearly $500 million in annual trade, a dynamic legal-infrastructural framework, and strong mutual trust, Azerbaijan–Czech relations are set to deepen significantly in the years ahead.
