Nakhchivan Region Welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev – OpEd

On December 1, 2015 the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to conduct a working visit and inaugurate a number of impressive public projects in the following sectors: infrastructure, health services, transportation, industrial parks, a renewable energy project and a fresh water supply infrastructure.

During his visit, the Azerbaijani head of state was accompanied by the Chairman of Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Mr. Vasif Talibov, and his cabinet of Ministers. In the early morning hours the President of Azerbaijan met with members of the government of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, who informed the Azerbaijani leader on many economic accomplishments, led by Nakhchivan’s administration. Afterwards, President Aliyev attended the opening of the Nakhchivan Industrial Complex. The brand new industrial park occupies a total area of nine hectares, it manufactures a number of pervious concrete products in various plants that utilize gypsum, drywall, lime and other materials; automatic management and video surveillance system has also been installed in all its premises. This facility has an annual production capacity of 150,000 tons of pervious concrete.

It must be noted that: the lime plant has an annual production capacity of 36,000 tons; the gypsum plant has an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons; the drywall plant has an annual production capacity of 2 million square meters. In this occasion the Azerbaijani head of state launched the production line of this state of the art factory that will play an important role in the economic development of Nakhchivan as well as set high standards in the working conditions of its employees not only in Azerbaijan but throughout the Southwestern Asian Region.

Moreover, President Aliyev inaugurated the “Eastern Terminal” of the Nakhchivan International Airport. Chairman Vasif Talibov and Mr. Jahangir Asgarov informed the head of state about the recent technical indicators of the terminal and shared the high level convenience indicators that this airport has to offer after its recent remodeling project.

The terminal is equipped with special elevators for passengers with limited mobility; a 41 meter-long baggage conveyor system and escalators were also installed in the terminal. All these additions will allow an increase in the airport`s passenger traffic from 150-200 to 400-450 passengers per hour.

The Nakhchivan International Airport operates direct flights to Baku, Istanbul and Moscow. It is expected to resume direct flights to Ganja in a few months.

A memorable visit of President Aliyev was his wreath laying ceremony at the statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan, located in the center of the city of Nakhchivan. Chairman Vasif Talibov informed the head of state about the landscaping and reconstruction works that have been carried out around the statue.

Lateron President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Shakarabad-Babek settlement-Nehram-Arazkend ring road after its reconstruction (connecting Babek district with a population of 32,000 people and 16km long); inaugurated the opening of Nehram Village secondary school No.2 in Babek district; attended the inauguration of a new children`s music school No 2.

Additionally, the Azerbaijani head of state attended the opening of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Hospital. The hospital facility was commissioned in 1920 as Nakhchivan’s hospital. The construction of the building of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Hospital started in 1979 with the support of national leader Heydar Aliyev, and ended in 1987. The reconstruction of this hospital started in early 2013 and completed at a record timing.

In conclusion to his visit, President Ilham Aliyev attended a ceremony to launch a water supply system of Nakhchivan city. On this occasion the head of state was informed that the construction of the water supply and sewage system in the city was carried out under a loan agreement between Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank. Its construction work begun in May 2010, this project saw the construction of a 224,790m long water supply system and a 219,040m long sewage system in the city.

In one of the afternoon events, President Ilham Aliyev, accompanied by Chairman Vasif Talibov, attended the opening of Nakhchivan Solar Power Plant.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Nakhchivan Solar Power Plant nearby Khal-khal village of Babek district. The power plant occupies an area of 35 hectares. The 20 megawatts plant is a project implemented under an agreement between the State Energy Agency of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the Belgian Soltech Company. In the project, more than 78,684 modern glass solar panels, stands and 11 electric power substations were installed as well as more than 30 different types of techniques and more than 400 workers have been involved. Nakhchivan Solar Power Plant will produce more than 30 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. After greeting the employees of the State Energy Agency of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and a representative of Soltech Company, President Aliyev wrapped up his very intensive working visit and departed for Baku, from the Nakhchivan International Airport.

This was perhaps the most important visit that President Aliyev has led in 2015.