(Last updated: 2 Jul 2011)

Current business situation

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Azerbaijan. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Country facts

Political climate

The President of Azerbaijan is elected for a five-year term. The President appoints the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (the Cabinet). The current President Ilham Aliyev was re-elected on 15 October 2008.

(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country brief)

Trade relations and statistics

Australia's trade and economic ties with Azerbaijan are limited by the country's small size and its distant geographic position. Australian exports to Azerbaijan in 2008 were worth almost A$5 million, down from A$8.5 million in the previous calendar year. Butter made up the largest category of exports (A$3.1 million). Imports from Azerbaijan in 2008 were worth A$94,000, predominately civil engineering and parts and fruit juices.

Azerbaijan is a member of the following organisations:

• Commonwealth of Independent States
• International Monetary Fund
• World Bank
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
• NATO’s Partnership for Peace
• Council of Europe

Azerbaijan is seeking World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. Azerbaijan's WTO membership Working Party was established on 16 July 1997, and the first meeting was held in June 2002. The latest meeting of the Working Party took place in December 2008. Bilateral negotiations between Baku and the WTO on market access are underway.

(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country brief)