Baku:Representatives from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank have engaged in discussions concerning the ‘Competitive, Resilient Agriculture and Irrigation Services’ (CRAIS) project. This initiative is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector while boosting the efficiency of irrigation and drainage services.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the discussion included an exchange of views on the Agricultural Credit and Development Agency’s role within the project framework. Additionally, the parties covered project components, financing, target regions for implementation, and intended beneficiaries.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Zaur Aliyev outlined the key priorities of the “State Program for the Development of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Production and Processing in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026-2030” to World Bank representatives. He also conveyed interest in further collaboration with the World Bank to improve the agrarian sector’s competitiveness and resilience, introduce modern financing mechanisms, and implement new agricultural development initiatives.
The meeting concluded with talks on the next stages of the CRAIS project, the timeline for executing planned measures, and exploring future cooperation opportunities.