World Bank said that about 250,000 people living along the Salyan-Bilasuvar road would benefit from upgraded road infrastructure, as well as improved economic opportunities and easier access to essential service facilities.

Azerbaijan reduced oil and gas condensate production by 7.2 percent year-on-year to 11.559 million tonnes and increased natural gas output.

The rating actions followed the revision of the outlook on the sovereign rating of Azerbaijan to BB+/Stable.  SOCAR is fully owned by the state.

Azerbaijan’s government, on a declared, merciless war-path to root out high-level corruption, has detained officials from the country’s once-sacrosanct, all-mighty customs service.

Azerbaijan's oil exports fell while gas exports surged after the country started exporting commercial natural gas to Europe from its Shah Deniz II field.