Baku, 26 September 2025 – The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA), supported by the CICA Secretariat and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, hosted an online webinar on “Facilitating SME Access to Investment Capital: Regulation of Investment Promotion and Support for the Establishment of Joint Projects between CICA Members”.
The webinar brought together government officials, investment specialists, and representatives of business development agencies to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Expert speakers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Türkiye shared their insights, joined by participants from Jordan, Iran and Bangladesh.
On behalf of the CICA Secretariat, Deputy Secretary General Farid Damirli delivered welcoming remarks. He underscored the central role of Small and Medium Enterprises in the economic fabric of the CICA region as drivers of employment, innovation, and inclusive growth. At the same time, he noted that SMEs continue to face structural challenges in accessing investment capital, particularly in cross-border contexts, limiting their potential contribution to sustainable development and regional integration. Mr. Damirli emphasized that the webinar provided a tangible platform to share regulatory frameworks, highlight successful examples of joint projects, and explore pathways toward harmonizing investment policies across the region. He reaffirmed the Secretariat’s readiness to reflect the outcomes in its follow-up work and future activities.
During the webinar, a representative from KOBİA presented a range of incentives offered within Azerbaijan, such as those for residents of liberated areas, industrial parks, activity-based incentives and discussed the Investment Promotion Document, which is utilized to support the development of entrepreneurship and to strengthen the national economy.
In turn, a National Company “KAZAKH INVEST” representative explored Kazakhstan’s regional investment potential, highlighting it as the largest economy in Central Asia. He underlined the robust investment landscape in the CICA region and Kazakhstan’s commitment to fostering cross-border investment cooperation.
A representative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Türkiye (KOSGEB) delivered a presentation on “The Green Transformation of SMEs in Türkiye”, highlighting national initiatives to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible growth among SMEs.
SMEs are widely recognized as crucial engines for innovation, employment and sustainable economic growth across the CICA region. This initiative directly supports CICA’s economic agenda by fostering regional integration, mutual understanding, and practical cooperation among CICA Member States.
