Trade and Investment Reform Support Project

The Trade and Investment Reform Support Program in Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan TIRSP) has begun its work at a time of great challenges and opportunities for the Azerbaijani economy. While the current economy is characterized by macroeconomic mismanagement and a poor enabling environment for business, the Government of Azerbaijan (GOAJ) has renewed interest in accelerating its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The accession effort will require comprehensive legislative/regulatory and institutional reforms that can promote an enhanced enabling environment for private investment and sustainable job creation and remove barriers that inhibit competition, distort investment flows, and limit economic integration.

AECOM International Development is implementing the 2-year USAID-funded TIRSP project under a subcontract to Chemonics. The project activities are implemented under two components: WTO Accession (Component 1) and Trade and Investment (Component 2). Under Component 1, the project will provide technical assistance and training to facilitate Azerbaijan’s accession to the WTO and to build institutional capacity for WTO compliance. This includes assisting the GOAJ in responding to Working Party member questions (only at GOAJ request); providing analytical support on an as-needed basis for bilateral and plurilateral negotiations; providing analysis, model legislation, and training to help Azerbaijan draft WTO-compliant laws; building capacity to conduct macro-econometric analysis of the impact of WTO accession; recommending transitional strategies for vulnerable sectors; and achieving institutional reform.