Press Release
BakuBuild - 2009
"BakuBuild", which this year celebrated its 15th anniversary, was held in the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Exhibition Complex on 21 - 24 October. The event was organised by ITE Group Plc (UK) and its partner in the Caucasus, Iteca Caspian, with a network of ITE Group Plc partner companies - EUF (Turkey), GiMA (Germany), International Show srl (Italy), ITE Gulf (Dubai), and ITE China - attracting international companies to participate in the exhibition. This year, the exhibition was supported by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs' (Employers') Organisations of the Azerbaijan Republic, and the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan.
The official opening ceremony was attended by the Director of the State Committee of Urban Development and Architecture, Mr Elmar Huseynzade; the Deputy Chief of the State Agency for Construction Safety Control under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Elhan Asadov; the Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Mehman Ahmedov; the British Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr. Carolyn Browne; the Turkish Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Hulusi Kilic; the Iranian Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mammedbaghir Bahrami; the Greek Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Ioannis Metaxas, and the Regional Director of ITE Group Plc, Mr Edward Strachan.
Mr Asadov opened the event by welcoming the exhibition's international and local participants.
"I am very glad to be here with you at this anniversary construction exhibition," he said. "This is the largest exhibition, by area, in the region and reflects Azerbaijan's economic achievements in this sector. During the exhibition's preparations, I met with several local companies and noticed a remarkable fact - the companies that came to the exhibition five to seven years ago as visitors are today participating with their own stands."
At the end of his speech, Mr Asadov congratulated the participants and organisers on the opening of the exhibition and wished them success in finding new partners and concluding profitable contracts.
Mr Ahmedov said that, amidst the global financial crisis, the success of this year's exhibition would serve as an excellent demonstration of Azerbaijan's recent economic achievements. He added that, for international companies, the country's market offers new areas for cooperation. Mr Ahmedov noted that the exhibition is a great opportunity to meet future foreign partners, and wished all the participants success at the exhibition.
Later, the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr. Kilic, welcomed the exhibition participants and congratulated them on the event's fifteenth anniversary.
"We have all witnessed Azerbaijan's economic growth and today's exhibition is once more proof of this growth," he said. "Turkey has always maintained close relations with Azerbaijan and our interest in this country is not subsiding. For example, this year a record number of Turkish companies is participating in the exhibition."
The floor was then given to the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Dr. Carolyn Browne.
"I join the previous speakers in wishing all the exhibition participants success and productive work," she said. "I would like to thank the organisers for such a large-scale event and congratulate the participants on the fifteenth anniversary."
On behalf of the organisers, the Regional Director of ITE Group Plc, Mr Edward Strachan, congratulated the exhibitors and visitors on the official opening of the event.
"I note with great pleasure that 270 companies from 27 countries are participating in the exhibition this year," he said. "This is remarkable, as I remember our first exhibition in 1995, which was held with three other exhibitions and included only 25 companies in all. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to achieving these fantastic results over the years. I would also like to welcome those companies taking part in the exhibition for the first time, which make up 30 % of all exhibitors. Thanks also to the ministries of foreign countries that have taken part in organising national stands at BakuBuild. In this regard, I would like to welcome the national stands of Iran and Lithuania, newcomers to the exhibition, as well as the collective stands of Germany, Belarus and Turkey. I would also like to note the invaluable support of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs' (Employers') Organisations of the Azerbaijan Republic, and, of course, the management of the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Exhibition Complex."
After the ceremony, representatives of government bodies, embassies, major companies and the press took a VIP tour of the exhibition.
Despite the global financial and economic crisis, the "BakuBuild" exhibition has not only maintained its size, but also achieved 5 % growth. In fact, 100 percent of the exhibition space was booked a month before the opening. The organisers were receiving applications to take part in BakuBuild right up until the opening of the exhibition. The exhibition occupied all three pavilions at the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex, and presented building materials, sanitary ware, decoration materials and many other items. The outdoor areas were occupied by construction equipment from leading international manufacturers. Company stands demonstrated the advantages of various stone and glass processing technologies, and provided detailed information about the innovations of the materials and equipment on display. The German national stand demonstrated ornamental blacksmithing. The distinguishing feature of the exhibition this year was the number of unique and colourful stands. Visitors were able to see, touch and even check the quality of the products on show.
This year, the exhibition welcomed 268 companies from 27 countries. Thirty percent of the exhibitors were local companies, some of which had just established production and were exhibiting their products for the first time. Among the international newcomers were companies from Saudi Arabia, Holland and Romania. European companies also participated and expressed an active interest in Azerbaijan. For the first time, Iran and Lithuania took part with national stands. Germany's national stand was organised in close cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the German Exhibition Industry Association, and Belarus' stand with the support of the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of Belarus. A record number of Turkish firms took part in the event.
This year, over 12,000 people visited the exhibition, which is a record number for "BakuBuild". Another positive factor was the large number of contracts signed during the exhibition. AzTexnika sold all the construction equipment it exhibited outdoors in the area adjacent to the complex. The German company As Exclusive, part of the German national stand, comes to the exhibition in Baku every year specifically in order to sell their products, and their participation in the exhibition this year again proved successful. There was great interest amongst specialists in the stone and glass cutting technologies demonstrated at the stand of a company from Dagestan. Also, several companies concluded partnership agreements with companies from Kazakhstan.
"BakuBuild" was accompanied by a comprehensive programme of events, which included a roundtable - "The urban development policy of Baku: realities and prospects". The event was organised with the assistance of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture. During the roundtable, it was announced that the winner of a tender to implement the "Regional Development Plan for Greater Baku" would be declared before the end of the month. According to Jahangir Godzhaev, Department Head of the Azerbaijan State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, the name of the company tasked with developing the future appearance of Baku would be revealed in the next few days. The "Regional Development Plan for Greater Baku" will develop master plans for Sumgait and Khirdalan. After this, the process of preparing a master plan for the capital will be greatly simplified. It will also take into account a general development plan for the Baku underground system.
An environmental event, 'Comfort and Warmth for Birds', was timed to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the "BakuBuild" exhibition. As part of the event, which took place in the Baku Central Botanical Garden, exhibition participants and representatives of the Azerbaijani press assembled over 30 birdhouses together with their families. Adults and children alike greatly enjoyed painting the birdhouses. The aim of the event was to create a respectful attitude amongst the public towards wildlife. The birdhouses will help save species threatened by extinction.
The professional audience was not overlooked. There was a special "Repair School" project for beginner craftsmen. Visitors with questions about office or home repairs and design could receive practical advice from construction specialists, and even personally participate in interior decoration, electrical installation and design.
Caspian MebelExpo - the 7th International Caspian Furniture, Interior and Design Exhibition - was held alongside the BakuBuild exhibition. It presented interior decoration and design, a huge choice of stylish wallpaper of various production methods, carpets, home fabrics, lighting fixtures, mirrors, and cut-glass. In addition to factory production, manufacturers also offered the opportunity to order custom-made interior items. The exhibition also organised workshops on interior decoration. Experienced specialists demonstrated interesting decoration and interior design solutions.
Holding the construction and furniture exhibitions together provided an opportunity for effective cooperation between companies looking for partners in various sectors. The exhibition's diversity allowed specialist visitors to see the full range of products and service of the construction industry. Combining these two events also helped visitors save time, as they were able to make decisions on purchasing, repairs and furnishings during the four days of the exhibition.
"BakuBuild" was a clear indication of the successful economic policy pursued in Azerbaijan. The country's leadership, despite the difficult financial and economic situation worldwide, is investing more funds in major infrastructural projects, and in the construction of administrative and residential buildings. The anniversary exhibition reflected the active development of the industry, and continues to be of special importance for the region.