News digest

OPENING OF NATO INFORMATION CENTER IN BAKU POSTPONED

Opening of the NATO Information Center in Baku has been put off due to financial constraints, Foreign Ministry told Azernews Thursday. The Center was initially scheduled to open during a visit to Azerbaijan by the NATO Secretary General George Robertson on January 16.

Although the idea was initiated by Azerbaijan, financial and technical expenses have been assumed by NATO.

PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT NORWAY

Prime minister Artur Rasizadeh is expected to visit Norway in mid-January. According to a government source, during the visit, to be paid on an invitation of the Norwegian government, Mr. Rasizadeh will discuss opportunities of expanding trade, economic, scientific and cultural relations.

He is also expected to sign a number of inter-governmental agreements. Cooperation in the energy sphere will be a core issue on agenda.

PREPARATIONS FOR CASPIAN OIL&GAS-2001 LAUNCHED

From June 5 till 8, Baku is expected to host the 7th international "Caspian Oil & Gas-2001" exhibition, as participation bids have already started arriving, says a statement by British "Spearhead Exhibitions", traditional organizer of oil and gas exhibitions in Baku.

Although there are still 5 months left for the show, the number of bids already exceeds that of 2000. Judging by the still arriving applications, the Baku Sports and Exhibition Center will be fully engaged, as was the case only in 1998.

Also planned on is the oil and gas conference, the theme of which has already been prepared. SOCAR president Natiq Aliyev and the Agip executive manager Eros Agostinelli have confirmed co-chairing the conference.

NBA TO SIGN FOR NEW BANK-NOTES PRINTING

In January-February, the National Bank of Azerbaijan intends to conclude an agreement on printing the 2nd portion of new bank-notes.

According to the NBA board chairman Elman Rustamov, the process will take 5-6 months and the new cash will be introduced into the circulation in mid-2001. The Bank is currently in talks with foreign companies, including De La Rue, which has already fulfilled orders for Azerbaijan.

Mr. Rustamov added that the size of the order has not been determined.

AZERBAIJAN BEST IN THREE INDUSTRIAL SECTORS

According to the International Trade Center, which compiles yearly tables of trade and economic performance of world countries, Azerbaijan is leading world’s three industrial spheres, minister for trade Husseinaga Bagirov told Azernews Monday.

These are polyethylene production, production and export of nuts. He said even most developed countries of the world display interest in Azerbaijan and acquire some of the country's technologies and materials.

As for backward industries, the minister said mechanical engineering is the least developed in the country.

Azernews

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