BP on behalf of its co-venturers today announced in Baku the winners of the third Best of Business Awards. This annual event recognises outstanding local and international companies and entrepreneurs who contribute to the success of BP-operated oil and gas projects and make a lasting impact on the local business environment.
The 2008 awards attracted an increased number of participating companies. This year’s event also introduced a new category - for the first time, an award was presented for the Best Teamwork project. This new category recognises the best teams who work together successfully on a joint project.
In a ceremony attended by representatives of the business community, the government and the media, the 2008 awards were presented to the following enterprises and individuals:
Addressing the awards presentation ceremony, Bill Schrader, President of BP in Azerbaijan, said: “BP remains committed to working with an increasing number of local and international companies who share the similar goal of creating a healthy and vibrant enterprise culture in Azerbaijan.”
Notes to Editors:
BP as operator of Azerbaijan’s major oil and gas development and transportation projects is committed to the sustainable economic development of Azerbaijan. On behalf of these projects we are leading a number of initiatives to encourage the non-oil sector and support enterprise development throughout Azerbaijan to assist the country in diversifying its economy. We do this through our regional development initiative, our community investment programmes and educational sponsorships.
We have set an ambitious target to increase the value of contracts placed with Azerbaijan-owned companies. To reach this target, BP operates Enterprise Centre in Baku to enhance its support of local small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development. In 2007 our direct in-country spend with local Azerbaijani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) equaled $111 million (37% up on 2006) and 34% of our total third party spend was incurred in-country – a considerable increase on 2006.
The Best of Business Awards were established in 2006 as part of BP’s and its co-venturers’ encouragement of local business development.
On June 22, BP and its co-venturers in oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan launched the Enterprise Development and Training Programme (EDTP) – a three-year multi-million-dollar initiative supporting local business development. The programme is part of BP’s efforts to increase the local content of their contracts in Azerbaijan, thereby contributing to the healthy and transparent development of the local economy. BP on behalf of its co-venturers selected ACDI/VOCA as EDTP implementing partner based on a competitive tender process.
The driving force behind these initiatives is BP’s commitment to the sustainable economic development of Azerbaijan. BP also leads a number of other initiatives to encourage the non-oil sector and support enterprise development throughout Azerbaijan to assist the country in diversifying its economy through our Regional Development Initiative, our Community Investment Programmes and educational sponsorships.
Tamam Bayatly, BP Baku Press office, telephone: +994 12 599 4557