Azerbaijan’s upgraded credit rating and economic outlook highlighted at London Embassy event [PHOTOS]

On October 30, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom
hosted an event titled “Azerbaijan’s Sovereign Credit Rating and
Economic Outlook: Unlocking the Regional Potential of the Caucasus
and Central Asia.”

Azernews reports, according to the Embassy, the
event brought together Azerbaijani and foreign professionals
working in leading UK companies, representatives from the City of
London Corporation, government institutions, and economic
experts.

The session was moderated by Cemal Ismayilov, Partner and Head
of Azerbaijan at Oliver Wyman, who noted that Azerbaijan had
achieved a major milestone this year with its sovereign credit
rating upgraded by international rating agency Moody’s from Ba1 to
Baa3 — investment grade.

He emphasized that this decision reflects the government’s
consistent and goal-oriented economic strategy over the past
decade, which has strengthened the country’s fiscal resilience and
long-term competitiveness. Ismayilov added that the positive
assessments by Moody’s and other rating agencies demonstrate strong
confidence in Azerbaijan’s ongoing economic reforms.

“This achievement should further inspire Azerbaijan to deepen
institutional reforms, expand the private sector, and strengthen
economic partnerships worldwide — including with the United
Kingdom,” he said.

During the panel discussion, Moody’s Vice President Daniela Re
Fraschini and Oppenheimer & Co. Senior Analyst Gabin Levy shared
insights into Azerbaijan’s sovereign credit rating and economic
stability. They highlighted key factors behind Moody’s decision,
including fiscal discipline, sound macroeconomic indicators,
efforts to reduce oil dependence, diversification initiatives,
investor confidence, institutional reforms, and the country’s
strategic role as a transport and logistics hub in the South
Caucasus and Central Asia.

Experts also noted that the post–August 8 Washington summit
normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia has had a
significantly positive impact on Azerbaijan’s investment
outlook.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the UK, Elin
Suleymanov, said the country’s achievements were the result of
President Ilham Aliyev’s visionary political, economic, and social
reforms. He underlined that the initial peace agreement and
normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia open new
opportunities not only for the two countries but also for the
broader South Caucasus and Central Asia regions.

“Peace and cooperation will enhance the efficiency of regional
trade and transport corridors, expand energy and logistics
projects, and create a favorable environment for economic
cooperation and investment,” the Ambassador stated.

At the conclusion of the event, the establishment of the
Azerbaijan–UK Business Council was officially announced. The
Council aims to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two
countries, support business-to-business connections, promote
bilateral trade and knowledge exchange, represent the interests of
the business community, and foster cultural cooperation.