Guba and Khachmaz municipalities discussed issues with state agencies

Economic research Center conducted round table meeting in Baku aiming to organize public discussion of 2 years outcomes of the project implemented in 10 partner municipalities of Guba and Khachmaz regions with financial support of German International Cooperation Society on December 03, 2012. The meeting is realized at Park Inn hotel and it was also discussed the ways of eliminating socio-economic issues revealed through Citizen Report Card. There were representatives from 10 partner municipalities, including Parliament, government and NGOs as well. 
The member of ERC Management Board Gubad Ibadoglu delivered opening remarks at the meeting and informed attendees about the projects of ERC related to local self-governance. Afterwards, the head of Support to Local self-governance Program of German International Cooperation Society, Catherine Lampe and project coordinator of this program, Fidan Gasimova talked about the implemented activities within the framework of the project and its outcomes as well.
In addition, the representatives from partner municipalities, including Mirza Shahbazov, chairman of Lacat municipality from Khachmaz region and Khanlar Heybatov, chairman of Talabiqishlaq municipality from Guba region underlined the benefits of the project. After speeches the presentations were made. First presentation on “Revenues of local self-governance bodies in Guba-Khachmaz economic regions in 6 months of 2012” was delivered by Rajab Imanov, ERC expert. He covered the revenues and expenditures of municipalities functioning in Guba- Khachmaz region.
Afterwards, the project coordinator Galib Togrul made second presentation on activities implemented within 10 partner municipalities. At the second part of the presentation, he touched upon issues reveled through Citizen Report card.
Then the discussion session was launched and Gadir Hasanov, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture touched upon challenges related to selling agricultural outputs and mentioned that the Ministry organizes regular fairs in order to eliminate such problems. He also noted that cooling chambers are constructed in the regions. However, he acknowledged that due to prevent product damages there is a need to search for foreign markets and establish cooperatives as well. Teymur Osmanov, the representative of Azerbaijan Melioration and Water Management Open Joint Stock Company talked about the activities executed in order to prevent issues on irrigation and water leakages as well. The representative from the Ministry of Health, Durdana Dadashova underlined that the construction of medical points in relevant buildings will be discussed in the Ministry. Afterwards, assistant of Arif Ashrafov, deputy of Parliament for Khachmaz region Sevda Bagirova brought up issues of Lower Zeyid Municipality and emphasized that relevant measure will be taken for elimination of these problems in recent days