CESD held "Managing Staff and Volunteers
in CSOs workshop" in Salyan on September
04-05, 2010. Alimammad Nuriyev, senior
trainer and President of Constitution
Researchers Foundation mentioned that
the workshop was aimed at helping local
CSO leaders manage their most treasured
resource.
CESD held Managing Staff and Volunteers in CSOs
Workshops in Districts
CESD held Managing Staff and Volunteers
in CSOs workshop in districts between
July 24-August, 02, 2010. The workshops
were aimed at helping CSO leader manage
their most treasured resource.
Volunteers and paid staff are vital to
the success of Azerbaijan CSOs.
CESD
starts implementing “Increasing Public
Control over Oil Revenues” Project with
support of USA Embassy in Baku.
The organization plans to implement a
project aiming at increasing public
control over expenditure of oil revenues
with the main focus on expenditures of
State Oil Fund (SOFAZ). The experts will
conduct monitoring of ongoing social
programs in all regions of Azerbaijan.
The findings will be discussed during
two roundtables with participation of
representatives of state bodies, oil
companies, international and local
organizations and mass media. As a
result of discussions, final report and
policy recommendations will be prepared
and presented to respective government
officials. The organization will hold a
media campaign to increase public
awareness about the project results
though web and newspapers.
CESD
included in Parliamentary Network on the World
Bank
The Azeri think tank is one of 7 leading
NGOs in the world considered by the
network
Center for Economic and Social
Development (CESD) was included in in
Parliamentary Network on the World Bank
(PNoWB). CESD was considered as one of
leading research institutes in the
region after ABCDE discussions in May
31-June 02, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden
where the CESD chairman also attended.
PNoWB provides a platform for
parliamentarians from over 110 countries
to advocate for increased accountability
and transparency in International
Financial Institutions and multilateral
development financing. Download
the whole report More...
CESD Presented
Internship Program Results
Center for Economic and Social
Development (CESD) presented CESD
Internship Program results to mass-media
on July, 23, 2010 at the CESD Training
Center. Vugar Bayramov, chairman
of CESD, mentioned that 326 applications
received and 3 of them were selected.
Nicola Morfini is PhD candidate at the University
of St. Andrews (UK) and Junior
Researcher at the Istituto Affari
Internazionali (IAI) in Rome and Ulrich
Schubert, graduate student at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität
in Freiburg (D) applications among 65
ones were approved by CESD Selection
Committee. Farida Poladova,
from Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, was
only winner among Azerbaijani
applications. More
CESD
Announces Macro-economic Forecasts
Center for Economic and Social
Development (CESD), leading Azerbaijani
think tank specialized in economic
and social policy, announces forecasts
on GDP
growth in Azerbaijan for
2010-2012. Concluding its
surveys and studies, CESD is pleased to
share macro economic
forecasts. According to CESD
forecasts, GDP Growth will be diminished
starting 2010 to 2012 since non-oil GDP
growth will be raised.
Analyst concerned over Azeri budget’s ‘reliance
on oil revenues’
The amendments and addenda introduced
to Azerbaijan’s 2010 budget will
increase the reliance of the country’s
main financial document on oil revenues,
an Azerbaijani economist says.
Vugar Bayramov, who heads the Center for
Economic and Social Development, told
AssA-Irada that the initial version of
the state budget envisioned a 4.9
billion manat ($6.125 billion) transfer
from the State Oil Fund (SOFAR), which
holds Azerbaijan’s revenues from crude
exports.
Nabucco
consortium leader to pay visit to Azerbaijan
Managing
director of Nabucco Gas Pipeline
International GmbH Reinhard Mitschek
will pay visit to Azerbaijan on June 23.
R. Mitschek will come to Azerbaijan with
the delegation of Austria. The purpose
of visit of delegation is to participate
in the opening of embassy of Austria.
The delegation will be led by Austrian
Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegge.
Azerbaijani
parliament adopts amendments to budget
The
Azerbaijani parliament has adopted
amendment to the 2010 state budget with
98 votes 'for' and 5 votes "against"
June 18. Under the amendments, the budget
deficit has been reduced from
1,249 billion to770.3 million manat (1
USD= 0.8Manat).
Thus, the sate budget deficit decreased
from 3.9 percent to 2.3 percent of GDP.
Budget revenues were increased by 49
billion manat to 11.505 billion. Finance
Ministe Samir Sharifov said the budget
expenditures increased by 1.12 billion
manat to 12.275 billion manat.
More...
CBA should correct its rate policy
On Monday, the official rate of the euro
towards the manat in Azerbaijan has
reached the very lowest level for the
last eight years. "The official exchange
rate of European currencies towards the
manat was established on the level of
95,6 kopecks June 7, which is the lowest
level since Oct. 26, 2002," chairman of
the Center for Economic and Social
Development Vugar Bayramov said.
Then, one euro was equal to 95,3 kopecks
(4766,98 manat). This year, the euro has
fallen in price compared to the manat by
17,4 percent. Since early 2010, the euro
fell from 1.1575 to 0.9561 manat. This
testifies that every 100 euros lost at
least 20 euros for the last five months. More...
CESD Training on EU Convergence
CESD held Baku Training on EU
Convergence within the “Sector Policy
Convergences in Priority Areas
in Azerbaijan to support EU Eastern
Partnership Initiative” Project support
by PASOS, was taken place in Baku on
June 06-07, 2010 with participation of
senior trainers.
International Centre for Policy
Studies holds EU 4 Seas Conference
with participation of government and
think tank representatives. Vugar
Bayramov, the chairman of Center for
Economic and Social Development (CESD),
attends the conference as
commentator of 2 main panels at the
conference. Broad issues, including
free trade, WTO accession, regional
integration, Eastern Partnership
Program and etc.
Upper limit of percent rate on insured deposits
reduced in Azerbaijan
The Government of Azerbaijan again considered
CESD recommendations
According
to the decision of the Board of Trustees
of the Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund
(ADIF), the maximal interest rates on
deposits, which provided insurance
coverage, will be reduced up to 12% from
June 1, the Foundation Executive
Director Azad Javadov said. The fund
insures bank deposits at a rate of up to
15 percent now.
Center
for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
and Cyprus Management Center with
support from European Commission held
seminars on Design and Management in
Ganca, Shamakhi and Salyan, in
Azerbaijan on May, 18-25, 2010.
Azerbaijani
experts expect increase in rate of euro to $1.4
summarizing results of year
Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijani
independent experts, after the country’s
government, continue to believe in
stability of single European currency –
euro.
An economist Vugar Bayramov said, the
tendency of drop in euro
exchange rate, forecast for May
in size $1.26 for 1 euro, will also
continue in June, prognosis for which
makes $1.24 for euro.
Amendments will
be made to 2010 Azerbaijani State Budget
After CESD Recommendations the Government of
Azerbaijan decided to make amendments to
2010 State Budget
Government of Azerbaijan (GoA) announced on
May, 20, 2010, that amendments to 2010 State
Budget will be made, soon in spite of the
fact that Ministry of Finance declared last
week that no amendments were scheduled.
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
and Cyprus Management Center with support
from European Commission held next Baku
Training on Design and Management in Baku,
Azerbaijan on May, 17-18, 2010.
The 2 days Training led by an international
trainer and were effective to equip 15
prospective local trainers with the skills,
tools and creative techniques to deliver the
project’s future interactive open training
events in a way that makes learning
enjoyable and effective.
Policy
Recommendations on Azerbaijan's Accession to the
WTO
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
developed policy recommendations to enhance
Azerbaijan's Accession to the WTO and
maximize advantages and minimize
disadvantages of the accession.
Recommendations are sorted out as general
and specific recommendations.
Download
CESD
Recommendations on Improvement of SOFAZ
Performance
Center for Economic and
Social Development (CESD) develop policy
recommendations to improve SOFAZ performance. It
should be mentioned that the financial assets of
the State Oil Fund are managed in accordance
with the “Rules on the Maintaining, Investing
and Managing of Financial Assets of the State
Oil Fund of the Azerbaijan Republic”. Under the
Rules, the Fund’s partners can be the financial
institutions having a credit rating which is not
lower than investment credit ratings for
long-term debts. Additionally, the maximum
weight of is at 15% level of the total value of
the whole portfolio. Download recommendations
in English
and Russian
CESD Regional
Workshops Start
Center
for Economic and Social Development (CESD) and
Cyprus Management Center with support from
European Commission organized Workshops for
Local NGOs Leaders in Ganca, and Shamakhi on
26-29, April 2010. The 2 days workshops led by
local trainers and were effective to equip 25
prospective local NGOs leaders with the skills,
tools and creative techniques to deliver the
project’s future interactive open training
events in a way that makes learning enjoyable
and effective.
More
Recommendations
on amendments to the Tax Code of the Azerbaijan
Republic
The
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
has prepared recommendations on amendments
to the Tax Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Center
Held Conference on Recommendations on
amendments to the Tax Code of the Azerbaijan
Republic. Click for
More
information and photos...
Understanding
Civil Society and Setting Up of CSOs Training
Hold at the CESD
T
he
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
and Cyprus Management Center with support
from European Commission held Training for
Trainers (ToT) session Understanding Civil
Society and Setting Up of CSOs in Baku,
Azerbaijan on April, 05-17, 2010.
CESD Policy
Recommendations Approved by the Government
Presidential decree on measures aimed to adjust
checks in business sector and ensure protection
of consumer rights was signed based on the CESD
recommendations
Government of Azerbaijan accepted CESD policy
recommendations on minimize illegal interference
on business activities in Azerbaijan.
The Balkans and
Caucasus International Symposium Starts
The
Balkans and Caucasus International
Symposium will be held in April 12-13, 2010 in
Bucharest, Romania. Scholars from the region as
well as from developed
countries gather together to discuss
extensive topics starting from energy
security to conflicts.
Vugar Bayramov, the chairman of Center for
Economic and Social Development (CESD), leading
think tank in Azerbaijan, will have speech
whether rich energy sources assure sustainable
development for the Caucasus region. For your
information, the program
is posted.
CESD Developed
Policy Recommendations on Tax Policy in
Azerbaijan
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
developed policy recommendations on improving
tax system in Azerbaijan. The CESD paper studied
the tax system of Azerbaijan and list policy
recommendations how improve the system.
Obstacles and problems are also stated.
Government of Azerbaijan announced
that CESD recommendations will be approved, soon
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
has launched presentation of Strategy Paper on
Agriculture in Azerbaijan on March, 15, 2010 in
Baku with representatives of government
institutes, Azerbaijani Parliament,
international organizations/foundations,
local NGOs, mass-media institutes and scholars.
Concept Paper on promotion of sustainable
Agriculture in Azerbaijan
Center
for Economic and Social Development (CESD), leading
think tank in Azerbaijan, has prepared concept
paper on promoting agriculture in Azerbaijan Republic.
Center
for Economic and Social Development (CESD), leading
think tank in Azerbaijan, starting implementing “Sector
policy convergences in Trade and Cross-border
Cooperation in Azerbaijan to support EU Eastern
Partnership initiative” Project with support of PASOS.
The economic life of Azerbaijan is closely tied to oil.
This study claims that the advantage of possessing oil
can quickly be spoiled if the resources are merely spent
to satisfy short-term interests. However, if managed
wisely, e.g. through proper defining and prioritising
the long-term interests of the entire society owning the
resources, having oil can be extremely beneficial.
Training of Trainers for
Azerbaijani CSO Leaders Held in Baku
The Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
and Cyprus Management Center with support from
European Commission held Training for Trainers (ToT)
session in Baku, Azerbaijan on February, 08-12,
2010. The 5 days ToT led by an international
trainer and were effective to equip 15
prospective local trainers with the skills,
tools and creative techniques to deliver the
project’s future interactive open training
events in a way that makes learning enjoyable
and effective.
Vugar Bayramov, CESD Chairman gave interview to DPA German Press Agency
Dr. Vugar Bayramov, the CESD Chairman, met
Carsten Hoffmann, correspondent of DPA, the
biggest German Press Agency, in the CESD office
on February, 19, 2010.
New Report on Local
Government in Post-Communist Countries
Local Government and Public
Service Reform Initiative (LGI) has
recently published “Making Government
Accountable; Local
Government Audit in Postcommunist Europe”
paper. Vugar Bayramov, the chairman of Center
for Economic
and Social Development (CESD), Azerbaijan is
one of authors in the book. His article focuses
on audit system in local
government system in Azerbaijan.
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD) was established for
the purpose of promoting research into contemporary economic and social
problems in 2005.
CESD prepared anti-crisis concept for
Azerbaijan Republic. Project of Center for Economic and Social Development
includes proposed action plans on each economic sector
Shirin Mirzeyev 76 "a"/ 33, Baku Az1002, Azerbaijan
Civil Society Movie Nights
COMING SOON...
ToT photos
Policy Paper on Oil and Transparency
The economic life of Azerbaijan is closely tied to oil.
This study claims that the advantage of possessing oil
can quickly be spoiled if the resources are merely spent
to satisfy short-term interests. However, if managed
wisely, e.g. through proper defining and prioritizing
the long-term interests of the entire society owning the
resources, having oil can be extremely beneficial.
On 17 October, Economics Club of the Free
Thought University gathered in their first
seminar. Guest of the seminar was CESD Chairman,
well-known economist Vugar Bayramov.
On 14 November, Economics club of the Free
Thought University held their another meeting.
The topic was about state investments and the
guest – CESD Board Member, prominent economist
Elchin Rashidov.
