Baku, 20 May 2025 – The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA), in close cooperation with the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), hosted the Eighth Plenary Session of the CICA Business Council and the landmark Tenth CICA Business Forum.
The Business Council Plenary convened national coordinators, policymakers, business leaders, and SME representatives for substantive dialogue on shared economic priorities, including digitalization, industrial cooperation, women’s entrepreneurship, smart city development, and green transformation.
In his address to the plenary, CICA Secretary General H.E. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay highlighted the strategic significance of the event, marking it as one of the first key milestones under the Azerbaijani Chairmanship. He commended the Chairmanship for articulating a forward-looking vision under the theme “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalization and Sustainable Growth in Asia.” Ambassador Sarybay emphasized the agenda’s relevance in addressing common challenges and steering the organization’s transformation into a full-fledged international institution.
Among the notable initiatives CICA Secretary General highlighted were upcoming conferences, seminars, and training programs to support digital transformation; the planned establishment of a CICA Women’s Council to promote inclusive economic development; and proposals to strengthen synergy between the CICA Business Council and Youth Council. He also underlined the importance of engaging academic institutions through the Partnership Network of Leading Universities to mobilize young scholars and researchers in advancing SME development.
In his opening address, Mr. Orkhan Mammadov, Chair of the Board of KOBİA and Chair of the CICA Business Council, welcomed participants to the Eighth Plenary Session, underlining the Azerbaijani Chairmanship’s focus on continuity and action, building upon the initiatives introduced by the previous Chairmanship of Kazakhstan. In this regard, he commended the SME Guidebook, developed by the CICA Secretariat, as a practical resource for entrepreneurs, providing guidance on business registration, financing, and market access.
Among the Chairmanship’s priorities, Mr. Mammadov highlighted digital transformation, with ongoing efforts to equip SMEs with tools and training in digital marketing, e-commerce, and data management. He also emphasized the importance of supporting women-led businesses, announcing plans for mentorship and networking initiatives. In line with the green transition agenda, he drew attention to the Baku Climate Coalition, aimed at promoting sustainable practices and integrating ESG principles into SME operations.
The session was further enriched by contributions from Business Council Board Members from Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Thailand, Türkiye, as well as inputs by representatives of relevant agencies from China, India, Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, Palestine, and Uzbekistan, who shared concrete national experiences, policy tools, and regional cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening the SME ecosystem and advancing CICA’s economic agenda.
The Tenth CICA Business Forum welcomed approximately 220 participants. The Forum opened with a keynote address by CICA Secretary General H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay, who introduced the e-book project “SME Landscape in Asia: Interactive Guidebook” to a broad audience of entrepreneurs and business leaders. The guidebook, later presented in detail by a representative of the CICA Secretariat, highlights regional economic trends, investment opportunities, and successful SME case studies from across Member States.
The Forum also featured two thematic panel sessions focused on “Strengthening SME Competitiveness in the CICA Region” and “Sustainability and Women’s Role in SMEs,” with contributions from eight expert speakers representing Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
The event reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of CICA Member States to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic development across Asia, while fostering a dynamic exchange of best practices, policy innovation, and cross-border cooperation in support of the region’s SME-driven growth.
Read the full text of the opening remarks at the Eighth Plenary Session of the CICA Business Council: https://www.s-cica.org/index.php?view=page&t=speeches&id=319
Read the full text of the opening remarks at the Tenth CICA Business Forum: https://www.s-cica.org/index.php?view=page&t=speeches&id=320
