AZERBAIJAN

Capital City
Baku

Population
9.6 Mio.

National languages
Aserbaidschanisch

Currency
Aserbaidschanischer Manat (AZN)

Gross national product (GNP)
USD 75.2 Mrd.

GNP per person
USD 7’986

Financial exports to Switzerland
USD 94 Mio.

Financial exports to Switzerland
USD 155 Mio.

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Azerbaijan

Relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan are characterised by open dialogue and are based on several key areas including energy policy, cooperation in the international financial institutions and development cooperation. Switzerland is also involved in helping resolve the conflicts in the South Caucasus region.

Economic cooperation

Azerbaijan is Switzerland’s main trading partner in the South Caucasus. Switzerland primarily exports precious stones and metals, machines, watches and pharmaceuticals. Several Swiss companies are active in Azerbaijan, and Switzerland is involved in the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project that will transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Italy via Georgia, Turkey, Greece and Albania by the end of the decade.

The Azerbaijani state-owned energy company SOCAR operates in Switzerland. In 2012, SOCAR Energy took over the ESSO Switzerland network with 160 petrol stations, which it now operates under the SOCAR brand.  SOCAR Trading, the international marketing and development arm of SOCAR, is headquartered in Geneva.

Business language

Russian, English.

Dimensions and weights

Metric system.

Currency

National currency: 1 Azeri Manat = 100 qəpik.
ISO code: AZN

Customs tariff

Harmonised system.

Import control

Weapons embargo (OSCE).
Imports are essentially liberalised; there are no longer any import quotas. Import authorisations are required for certain goods.
VAT rate: 18%.

Terms of payment and tenders

The advice is not to provide delivery on account.
Payment in advance, potentially on the basis of a letter of credit following prior consultation with an experienced, international bank. In the case of investment goods 5% down payment on conclusion of the contract, 10% on delivery, 85% financed by credit.
Documents in Russian facilitate communication.

Designations of origin

No special provisions known, experience has shown that “Made in Swiss” or “Swiss” is recommended as a designation of origin.

Marking/labelling

Standard marking regulations
There are labelling regulations for certain product groups, so it is advisable to ask the importer.

Packaging

No special provisions known but stable packaging is advisable.

Product samples

No special labelling regulations known.

Shipping and accompanying documents

a) Commercial invoices, two copies with all standard information, signed with the country of origin, certified by the CIC (Chamber of Industry and Commerce);

b) Certificate of origin, three copies required, country of origin in the case of Swiss goods “Swiss” or “European Union” for goods originating from UE;

c) Postal packages up to 20 kg, 1 international dispatch note, 2 customs declarations (French, English, Russian).