CASPIAN BASIN FORUM -

Political and Economic Risk in Azerbaijan

 

This event is broadcast by BISNIS purely as a service to the U.S. business community, and is not to be construed as BISNIS recommendation or sponsorship.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM BISNIS.

For more information contact contact Arrun Kapoor (kapoor@eurasiagroup.net) at tel: 212.366.9560; or fax your registration forms to Kirsten Brodsky at 212.366.9699, or see the following website:  www.eurasiagroup.net.

 

CASPIAN BASIN FORUM -

Political and Economic Risk in Azerbaijan

 

Sponsored by: Unocal, Vinson & Elkins

 

Co-Organized by: TBD

 

8:00am               Breakfast

                                                                                                                                                     

8:15am  Panel 1 - Political

 

Keynote - Vafa Guluzada

former Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor and State Counselor to Azeri President, Heidar Aliev

 

Tadeusz Swietochowski

Department of History, Monmouth University

 

What is the general political landscape in Azerbaijan?  What steps has the government taken to insure political stability within its borders and the region?  What stance has the Azeri government taken toward the region's supranational organizations (e.g. GUUAM, NATO, BSEC, CIS, etc.)?  How has the Azerbaijan's pipeline politics and foreign policy impacted one another?  What has been their policy stance toward the region's major issues (e.g. Chechnya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey's Kurd policy, etc.)?  How serious of a threat is Aliev's heath to his staying power?  What succession procedures are in place should he leave office?  Are there other viable political parties established in Azerbaijan? 

 

9:30am  Break

 

9:45am Panel 2 - Energy, Privatization and the Economy

 

Eldar Namazov - Privatization/Economy

Independent Political Analyst

What has been the government's position toward privatization of the energy sector?  What opportunities are in place for foreign investors?  What measures have been implemented to ensure shareholder rights?  What moves has the government taken to develop other sectors of the economy?  Is there a danger of Dutch disease?

 

Laurent Ruseckas - Energy Market

Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Associate Director for Caspian Research and Columbia University

What is the current climate of Azerbaijan's energy sector?  What are the nation's current and expected energy reserves?  What are the implications of Azerbaijan's recent findings of large gas reserves?  Which pipeline routes is Azerbaijan promoting and what moves have they taken to realize these goals?  What opportunities exist for western investors?  What further steps could be taken to increase the investment climate of their energy sector?

 

11:00am                Conference Concludes

 

CASPIAN BASIN FORUM -- Political and Economic Risk in Azerbaijan

 

Sponsored by: Unocal, Vinson & Elkins

 

Co-Organized by: TBD

 

               Date:                Monday, 14 February 1999

               Time:                8:00am - 11:00am                                                        

               Place:                Four Seasons Hotel

1300 Lamar Lane

                               Houston, Texas  

 

 

 

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**This event is an informal business discussion with senior level executives from US companies active or interested in the Caspian Basin.  If you have any questions please contact Arrun Kapoor (kapoor@eurasiagroup.net) at tel: 212.366.9560; or fax your registration forms to Kirsten Brodsky at 212.366.9699.  Participation fee: $300.  Non-Profit rate: $150, Members: Free.  To ensure proper registration, please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, February 10th.  A full refund will be made available if cancellation notice is made by the same date.