Private sector plays a major role in the economic negotiations globally and it is very often cited that “ industries rather than governments determine the course of the international trade negotiations”. However, business communities in developing countries and transitional economies are not sufficiently involved in trade policy-making and negotiations. Thus, there is an need to change this situation. Business community cannot ignore the world trading system conceived and managed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional groupings, since it is an intrinsic element of existing business environment. Also Government needs assistance on reviewing legislation from WTO consistency point of view and responding the questions to be asked by WTO members properly within the interest of private sector. Thus the basic assumption of this project is that that business advocacy, if properly organized and practiced, may help our society reach policy decisions and function more effectively by contributing to mutual understanding between government, business and civil society.
The long-term goal of this project is to achieve more active participation of the private sector in the WTO accession process and improving legislations in accordance with WTO requirements.
The main results of this campaign can be described as follow increasing the awareness of enterprisers willing and ready to be a driving force for Azerbaijan’s integration into the global trade system and development of their capacities for efficient advocacy and better policy decisions related to Azerbaijan’s accession to the WTO.
The main constituency of the project will be about 100 enterprisers to be participated in seminars which will be organized in Baku, Barda, Masalli and Zagatala regions within the project. They will be representing various fields of business activities but with certain representation of production, processing and services.
The project will be implemented by the coalition of three NGOs
Composition of the coalition:
1. Azerbaijan Marketing Society: AMS will be leading the coalition and coordinate the activities of all other members as well as provide its resources for other members as well as the constituency to benefit from. AMS will be responsible for other organization’s involvement, support by ITC and relation with the target institutions.
2. Global Economic Researches Center (GERC): GERC will be reviewing legislation for WTO consistency, provide recommendations to the relevant state bodies and prepares responds to the questions asked by WTO members.
3. PRAXİS Support to Social Development Public Union: Praxis will be offering implementation of the project in Baku and Sumgayit, where “Praxis” has offices and focal points.
Duration: 12 months.
Leading NGO in the project is Azerbaijan Marketing Society
Name and position of the contact person: Samira Gafarova, Project Manager
Composition of the Coalition: (list other coalition members, including name, address and names of the contact persons).
Global Economic Researches Center - M. Mukhtarov str., 194, Elkhan Mikayilov
‘Praxis’ NGO- Parviz Isgandarov
Project started October 1, 2008 and will end September 31, 2009
