In the regions of Azerbaijan, the tariffs for gas, electricity, and water will be reduced by 3 times? - STATEMENT

Gas and electricity tariffs in border villages of Azerbaijan should be reduced threefold to accelerate the process of their settlement. This proposal was announced at the first meeting of the extraordinary session of Milli Mejlis.

This was stated by deputy and head of the Center for Social Research Zahid Oruj.

According to the deputy, although there are 4,244 villages in the country, most of them continue to lose population, while the population density in the capital has reached critically high levels. Unofficial data shows that the actual number of Baku residents has exceeded 3 million people, which increases pressure on the transport system, housing, and social infrastructure.

Zahid Oruj also noted that the capital's share in the total consumption of gas and electricity is 36% and 42% respectively, while only 23% of the country's population lives in Baku. In his opinion, the introduction of reduced tariffs in border areas could stimulate resettlement to villages and reduce the burden on the capital.

The chairman of the Society of Appraisers of Azerbaijan (SAA) Vugar Oruj, in a comment for BAKU.WS, emphasized that incentive programs include not only reducing costs but also creating broader opportunities for the regional population and increasing their economic activity. He noted that many state facilities in stimulated areas are empty, and their transfer on preferential terms to entrepreneurs could significantly revitalize the economy.

According to him, reducing utility costs is an important but not the only step. It is necessary to eliminate administrative obstacles, optimize the tax burden, provide preferential conditions for the agricultural sector, and support the creation of new jobs. V.Oruj believes that exempting entrepreneurs from some taxes and other incentive measures can seriously strengthen their contribution to the country's economy.

Orkhan Hussein