East Zangezur’s reconstruction gets boost with $1.79 million investment

The Service for Rehabilitation, Construction, and Management of Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts has awarded a contract to Az-Tex-Import LLC for the purchase of transport and special equipment.

According to the state procurement website, the cost of the contract is $1.79 million (or AZN 3 million 43.84 thousand), Caliber.Az reports.

This purchase is part of the Azerbaijani government's significant investment in transforming Karabakh and East Zangezur into vibrant economic centres. The “2022-2026 Social and Economic Development Strategy of Azerbaijan” and the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development” programs provide a comprehensive framework for the revitalization of these regions. Since 2021, over $6.09 billion has been allocated from the state budget for ongoing reconstruction efforts.

A key component of these efforts is the “I State Program on the Great Return to the Territories Liberated from Occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” This program emphasizes the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable resettlement and long-term development in these areas. As the first step, demining activities were initiated, resulting in the clearance of 1,536,652,787 square meters of land from mines and unexploded ordnance between 2020 and 2024.

The “Great Return” program, designed to facilitate the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their homes, is a central pillar of the rehabilitation efforts. As of August 2024, approximately 8,000 individuals have returned to their native lands, with plans to accommodate up to 34,500 families (or 140,000 individuals) by the end of the first stage in late 2026.

In support of the resettlement and economic growth under this program, the Azerbaijani government is implementing extensive measures aimed at developing workplaces, providing decent living conditions, and ensuring sustainable regional development.

Returnees will receive modern housing, infrastructure, and essential services as part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to establish sustainable living conditions in the liberated territories. In addition to basic infrastructure, the government is prioritizing the creation of economic opportunities for those resettling in the region.

Initiatives in agriculture, small business development, and other economic projects are being launched to facilitate reintegration and stimulate the local economy. This comprehensive strategy is designed to ensure that individuals returning to Karabakh can do so in a secure, stable, and prosperous environment.

By Tamilla Hasanova