BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The American
Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham) has recommended
introducing business continuity plans (BCPs) for major state-owned
companies, including Azerishig, Azersu, and Azerenergy, to
strengthen economic stability and protect citizens, Trend reports.
“Azerbaijan’s economic stability and societal well-being rely
heavily on the uninterrupted functioning of its key SOEs – notably
Azerishig, Azersu, and Azerenergy. These organizations form the
backbone of the nation’s critical infrastructure, delivering
electricity, water, and energy that sustain every aspect of daily
life and industrial activity,” AmCham experts emphasized.
The report notes that the introduction of BCPs is not merely an
administrative reform but a strategic measure tied to national
security and economic stability.
“The introduction of mandatory BCP requirements across key SOEs
is therefore not merely a procedural improvement, but a strategic
safeguard to ensure that essential services remain reliable,
citizens remain protected, and the national economy remains
resilient in the face of disruption,” the document states.
According to the report, the Government of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, together with relevant ministries and regulatory
bodies, is advised to:
– Introduce a mandatory requirement for key SOEs (e.g.,
Azerishiq, Azersu, Azerenergy) to design, implement, and maintain
comprehensive BCPs;
– Develop and publish a BCP framework for essential services
aligned with international standards (e.g., ISO 22301);
– Mandate risk assessments and scenario-based continuity
planning for critical functions;
– Establish a national oversight body or inter-ministerial
coordination platform for monitoring BCP readiness across SOEs;
– Conduct periodic BCP testing and simulation exercises, with
reporting obligations to sector regulators or the Cabinet of
Ministers;
– Encourage private-public partnerships for knowledge transfer
and technical capacity building;
– Introduce incentives for SOEs with demonstrably strong BCPs
(e.g., procurement advantages, tax benefits);
– Ensure board-level ownership of business continuity and
integrate BCP metrics into performance reviews of senior
executives;
AmCham stresses that the implementation and operationalization
of BCPs in key state-owned companies will enhance Azerbaijan’s
resilience to risks, ensure the uninterrupted provision of vital
services, and align public sector governance with international
best practices in sustainability and business continuity.
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