Opportunities for Azerbaijan to become a regional hub for medical services, pharmaceutical and biotechnology production, and digital health solutions were discussed.

Within the framework of the First Azerbaijan International Investment Forum held in Baku under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev, a parallel session titled “Sea Breeze Health Valley: Azerbaijan’s Global Gateway to Medical Excellence” was held.

Moderated by Monish Arora, partner at McK Partners, the panel featured a speech by Health Minister Teymur Musayev, who emphasized that healthcare development is a priority direction of the country’s state policy. The Minister noted that in recent years, the introduction of mandatory health insurance, modernization of medical institutions, integration of digital technologies into the healthcare system, and reforms focused on human capital have significantly increased the accessibility and quality of health services for the population.

Discussions focused on the role of the Sea Breeze Health Valley project in strengthening Azerbaijan’s healthcare system, developing social services, and infrastructure. The panelists highlighted Azerbaijan’s potential to become a regional center for medical services, pharmaceutical and biotechnology production, and digital health solutions.

Speakers including Aydin Karimov, the President’s Special Representative in the Shusha district; Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan State Tourism Agency; Zaur Aliyev, CEO of the State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance; Vugar Gurbanov, Director of the Medical Territorial Units Management Union (TABIB); Yasin Jalilov, CEO of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy; Konstantin Grinfeld, head of the Sea Breeze Health Valley project; Marat Devlet-Kildeyev, CEO of Singapore’s Don Agro International; Geray Geraybeyli, Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University; Sven Heininger, Director of Germany’s Sana Hospital Group; and Hajar Jafarova, founder of Caspimayr, spoke about the possibilities of establishing a medical cluster meeting international standards through joint cooperation of government agencies, investors, and project management. It was noted that the Sea Breeze Health Valley project is an important step in modernizing the country’s healthcare system, implementing digital medical services, and developing pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

Within the framework of the First Azerbaijan International Investment Forum, a Share Purchase Agreement was signed between SOCAR, Italiana Petroli S.p.A., and MIP S.p.A. The agreement was signed by SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and Italiana Petroli S.p.A. Chairman Ugo Brachetti Peretti. The agreement will significantly contribute to strengthening Azerbaijan’s role in global energy security, increasing direct access to the European market, expanding the value chain, and enhancing logistics advantages.

Additionally, an Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Venture for the Production of High-Iron Hot Briquetted Iron was signed during the session. The agreement was signed by Jeyhun Aliyev, CEO of “Dashkasan Iron Ore” LLC, and Yerzhan Mussin, CEO of Fonte GreenMet Investments Fund OEIC Limited. This initiative will make a significant contribution to forming a fully integrated value chain in Azerbaijan’s metallurgy sector, increasing export potential, and manufacturing high value-added products.