Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) is being established next to the Port of the capital city Baku on the Caspian Sea (50 km south of the city centre). This strategic geographic location will serve as a regional investment hub and boost competitiveness in the Europe-Caucasus-Asia and North-South transport corridors. It will intensify local and foreign investment in the country’s non-oil sector.

It is a key element in Azerbaijan’s economic strategy based on four main axes:

• become a competitive participant in international economic relations,
• establish a world class business environment with energy, transport, transit and logistical infrastructure,
• become a diversified and export-oriented economy creating high added-value,
• further strengthen the role of non-oil sector in the economy.

AFEZ is divided into thee sectors and spreads over 850 ha. It will be operational by July 2022.

It is export, international trade and innovation oriented. Among other advantages, there is 0% corporate tax, 0% customs and VAT export goods, no foreign ownership restrictions as well as no restrictions on foreign repatriations. For more details, see