State Migration Service and Caspian-European Integration Business Club organized business forum  

On May 4 Caspian-European Integration Business Club organized business forum with participation of Chief of State Migration Service, Mr. Firudin Nabiyev. On the forum major aspects of migration policy of Azerbaijan were discussed.

II rank state migration service counselor Firudin Nabiyev in his speech delivered information about the activity of State Migration Service. He stated that SMS establishes dialogue with business sector, analyzes points that concerns entrepreneurs, raises these issues before the government and if necessary makes proposals for amending the legislation.

F.Nabiyev pointed out that during short period of time which State Migration Service operates were adopted numerous legislative acts regulating the entity’s activity. Different issues within the interest of business sector were envisaged in Migration Code adopted by Milli Majlis in 2013. Furthermore, even today we come up with proposals for adjusting legislation to modern requirements.

Chief of Service mentioned that SMS demonstrates attitude and care to private and business sector, deals with their concerns, analyzes and finds solutions. “Today owing to economic development and tranquility in Azerbaijan number of migrants and number of businessmen investing in our country increases. Besides that the citizens who left the country in 1990s are returning back”- chief of SMS stated.           

F.Nabiyev touched upon the issue related to labor migration quota as well. He emphasized that in order to determine employers’ demand for foreign labor force they need to present to State Migration Service information about this demand indicating professions upon employment classification for the next year. Chief of Service called companies to present proposals till May 15, 2016 and said that their proposals will be considered.

“However foreign citizens’ arrival to our country is encouraging, labor market needs to be regulated. Local specialists must be employed firstly”- F.Nabiyev highlighted. He also touched upon structural issues in private sector and stated that this issue will be handled in legislation.

Service chief pointed that in every country problems related to migration exist and they should be dealt with. European Union currently faces migration crisis. But in Azerbaijan not a single restriction exists for foreign citizens as 2016 was declared “a year of Multiculturalism” in our country.

Chief of SMS brought to attention that according to amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences by violating provisions of Migration Code fine for engaging up to three foreigners or stateless persons in labor activity without getting work permit by employer is from three thousand to four thousand manats for officials and from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand manats for legal persons.  In case the same offence is committed in regard to three and more foreigners and stateless persons officials are charged for fine from five thousand to seven thousand manats, legal persons from thirty thousand to thirty five thousand manats.

It was notified that in last two months three organized groups attempting to transfer Bangladesh and Pakistani citizens to European Union and Iran through Azerbaijan were revealed and relevant measures were taken.

Service chief said that 11 online services of SMS were launched for use. Online receipt of applications is conducted. We are able to keep a migrant under control from moment of arrival to country untill departure via Unified Migration Information System. Besides, SMS renders numerous services at “ASAN Service” centers.

At the meeting suggestions of business forum participants on relevant issues, as well as issues concerning member companies of Caspian-European Integration Business Club were discussed. In the framework of business forum companies found answers to questions in their concern related to Azerbaijan migration policy. Moreover proposals on continuing active dialogue between SMS and private sector were put forward.

First deputy chairman and chief executive director of Caspian-European Integration Business Club Mr. Telman Aliyev expressed gratitude to Firudin Nabiyev for attention to the meeting, as well as to proposals made by club members during the meeting. T.Aliyev emphasized the fact that the Club was established in 2002 with support of grandiose oil-and-gas companies operating in Caspian-Mediterranean region and its chairman is President Ilham Aliyev. He stated that since its first establishment date Caspian-European Integration Business Club supports directing profits from oil sector to developing non-oil sector. The Club combining more than 5 thousand companies and organization in itself acts in 50 countries of the world and conducts active work in direction of supporting dialogue between government organizations and private sector.

At the event Firudin Nabiyev was presented a certificate of honorary membership to Caspian-European Integration Business Club.

Heads of companies, representatives of diplomatic corps also participated in the business forum.