As part of the visit, awareness-raising training sessions entitled “Key Challenges Observed in Public Procurement and Recommendations of the State Service” were held for procuring entities and businesses.

A delegation headed by Elnur Baghirov, Chairman of the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

As part of the visit, Jeyhun Jalilov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Elnur Baghirov, Chairman of the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control, first visited the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the central square of Nakhchivan city and laid flowers at the monument.

The delegation subsequently participated in awareness-raising events on public procurement jointly organized by the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and the State Service.

The first part of the event, attended by heads of a number of government institutions and representatives of procuring entities, featured opening remarks by Jabbar Musayev, Prime Minister of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Elnur Baghirov, Chairman of the State Service.

The speakers provided information on the consistent measures being implemented to establish an open and competitive environment in public procurement, efforts to improve legislation in the relevant field, and steps taken to introduce new functionalities on the Single Electronic Public Procurement Portal.

It was noted that conducting public procurement in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on the basis of an improved legislative framework not only strengthens a healthy competitive environment but also contributes to increased economic activity, the creation of new jobs and higher employment.

As part of the event, Nijat Khalilov, Head of Sector at the Public Procurement Supervision Division of the State Service, delivered an awareness-raising presentation for procuring entities.

The presentation highlighted the key principles of public procurement and provided comprehensive statistical information on the number and value of procurement procedures conducted by entities located in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic during the previous year.

The presentation also explained the proper determination of the estimated procurement value, preparation of tender documents in accordance with legislative requirements, evaluation of suppliers’ bids, cases involving their disqualification from procurement procedures, as well as the rules governing the preparation of procurement contracts.

The second part of the event was organized for businesses. Elnur Baghirov, Chairman of the State Service, stated that the new mechanisms introduced in public procurement facilitate businesses’ access to public contracts and provide them with equal and fair opportunities to participate in procurement procedures.

It was noted that strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors and improving the business environment contribute to the expansion of entrepreneurial activity in Nakhchivan.

Subsequently, Nijat Khalilov, Head of Sector at the Public Procurement Supervision Division, delivered another presentation, providing information on challenges arising during procurement procedures and the most common mistakes made by suppliers.

Attention was drawn to the risks of disqualification from procurement procedures, as well as the rules for properly participating in public procurement through the etender.gov.az portal. Participants’ questions were answered and practical recommendations were provided for successful participation in procurement procedures.

As part of the visit to Nakhchivan, Elnur Baghirov, Chairman of the State Service, also met with employees of the Nakhchivan Regional Division of the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control.

The meeting included discussions on the activities of the institution, measures implemented and results achieved, and relevant instructions were given to ensure the achievement of the objectives set.