Baku, September 23, 2025
The inaugural Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025), held in Baku on September 22–23, concluded with more than $10 billion in agreements, underscoring the country’s appeal as a hub for foreign capital.
The two-day forum, themed “Strengthening East–West, North–South Ties in a Divided Global Economy,” gathered around 1,000 participants, including senior officials, global investors, business leaders, financial institutions, think tanks, and media representatives.
Among the deals:
$700 million joint venture in steel – A hot-briquetted iron plant will be established through an agreement between Dashkasan Demir Filiz LLC and Fonte GreenMet Investments Fund OEIC Limited.
$407 million desalination project – Saudi-based ACWA Power signed a public-private partnership with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy to design, finance, build, and operate a Caspian Sea desalination plant – the country’s first pilot PPP project.
$5 billion “City within a City” plan – The Ministry of Economy and the UAE’s Modon Holding signed a cooperation agreement to redevelop the area around Lake Boyukshor into a modern coastal district featuring healthcare, retail, education, and hospitality infrastructure.
$500 million in tourism and hospitality – See Breeze Resort inked MoUs with partners including Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts by IHG, MEAIT and Rixos, Radisson Blue, Digital Residence, Sana Hospital Group, and Don Agro Intl.
Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov hailed the outcome, writing on X that Azerbaijan had once again demonstrated its “open and resilient economic environment for foreign investment, its strategic projects, and its position as a reliable partner for long-term cooperation.”
He added that more than $7 billion of the signed projects are in the non-oil sector:
“These large-scale investments open new opportunities for economic diversification, accelerate the transfer of innovation and technology, and raise living standards,” Jabbarov said.
