AZERBAIJAN: S/P DIRECTOR AND EUR DAS BRYZA DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000581 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/P E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2016 TAGS: ECON EFIN EPET ENRG PREL PGOV AJ KZ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: S/P DIRECTOR AND EUR DAS BRYZA DISCUSS OIL REVENUE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REF: (A) BAKU 480 (B) 05 BAKU 1669 Classified By: AMBASSADOR RENO L. HARNISH III PER 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In an April 3 meeting, S/P Director Stephen Krasner discussed macroeconomic development and prudent oil revenue management with Minister of Economic Development Babayev and Minister of Finance Alakbarov. Babayev and Alakbarov stressed to Krasner that the GOAJ was aware of the dangers of over-reliance on oil for development and that the newly formed State Investment Company would use Oil Fund assets to fund non-oil development activities. In a separate meeting with the Executive Director of the Oil Fund Samir Sharifov, Krasner, joined by EUR DAS Matthew Bryza, reviewed Oil Fund operations and possible modifications to the overall asset allocation. Sharifov told Krasner that the Oil Fund planned to modify its asset allocation to increase its annual return. The Oil Fund leads the GOAJ's EITI efforts and is hosting International Advisory Group meetings this week. Sharifov said that the GOAJ remained committed to the East-West energy corridor, adding that the GOAJ is ready to work with Turkey, Italy and Greece to ensure that Azerbaijani gas is sold in Europe. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) In a candid and frank conversation at the Ambassador's residence April 3, S/P Director Stephen Krasner, Finance Minister Avaz Alakbarov and Economic Development Minister Babayev discussed the importance of effective oil revenue management, development of the non-oil sector, transparency, corruption and macroeconomic development. Krasner raised the importance of transparency in public expenditures and warned of the effects corruption can have on an economy. Alakbarov and Babayev explained to Krasner the GOAJ's plans for using the Oil Fund and its future assets (current assets total USD 1.5 billion) to fund social, infrastructure and other special projects to increase the pace of economic development. Both ministers recognized the dangers of Dutch Disease and its inherent effects of higher inflation and currency appreciation. Both indicated that International Financial Institutions would play an important role in Azerbaijan's development. ¶3. (C) Alakbarov highlighted that the Oil Fund will be maintained to support "future generations" while at the same time funding current projects. Babayev indicated that development of Azerbaijan's "human resources" was an important goal for the GOAJ. Both ministers stressed the need for Azerbaijan to utilize effectively its oil revenues to develop the non-oil sector, boost employment and reduce poverty. Responding to Krasner's question regarding the negative economic effect oil can have on a country, Babayev recognized the threat and explained that the GOAJ would develop the country's manufacturing sector and petro-chemical capabilities to boost local production. In addition, he said that the GOAJ was developing its agricultural sector and providing much needed funds to local entrepreneurs. Alakbarov continued that the GOAJ would look to implement a balanced approach to development, focusing on keeping inflation down while maintaining robust growth. He recognized that the GOAJ would increase budgetary expenditures, develop a securities market and continue with social and investment projects. New State Investment Company -------------- ¶4. (C) Alakbarov briefed Krasner and the Ambassador on the newly formed State Investment Company (REF B) that will invest in non-oil sector companies and projects. Alakbarov said that the Oil Fund will provide USD 100 million in initial capital to establish the new investment company. Babayev said that he would be the chairman of the new investment company's supervisory council. Other members would also include the Executive Director of the Oil Fund, the Chairman of the National Bank, and the First Deputy Minister of Finance. Babayev added that the GOAJ planned to invite international investors to invest in the company in the future. Neither Babayev nor Alakbarov explained how the GOAJ would select appropriate companies or industries to invest the investment's company money. Oil Fund and EITI BAKU 00000581 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶5. (C) In a late afternoon meeting with Oil Fund Executive Director Samir Sharifov, Krasner and EUR DAS Bryza discussed the Oil Fund operations, its role in Azerbaijan's development and the AJ-KZ intergovernmental agreement (IGA) negotiations. In addition, Sharifov and Krasner discussed the role of the Oil Fund and the GOAJ in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) (REF A). The GOAJ is hosting the International Advisory Group of EITI this week for meetings. ¶6. (C) Sharifov briefed Krasner and Bryza on the Oil Fund's history and future plans to adjust its asset allocation strategy. Currently the Oil Fund invests in only highly secure U.S. treasuries and European government bonds. Sharifov explained that the Oil Fund is planning to shift to a three-portfolio asset allocation strategy with an "expenditure portfolio" for GOAJ budgetary requirements, an "emergency portfolio" and a "future generation portfolio," that would include more risky equity investments. The new portfolio asset allocation, according to Sharifov, would increase the fund's annual return by five to six percent. Sharifov told Krasner that in 10 years the Oil Fund could have between USD 70 and 120 billion in assets depending on the price of oil. ¶7. (C) Sharifov said that more than 80 percent of the Fund's revenues come from Production Sharing Arrangements (PSAs) with international energy companies. Regarding SOCAR's contributions to the Oil Fund, Sharifov stated that SOCAR pays taxes to the Ministry of Taxes of which a certain percentage is allocated to the Oil Fund. He noted that SOCAR uses some of its oil revenues to support its extensive "social activities" (i.e. corporate kindergartens and hospitals). ¶8. (C) Sharifov also explained that the GOAJ was planning to submit new legislation formalizing the Oil Fund structure, compensation, asset allocation targets and other operational issues. Sharifov noted that the GOAJ needed to perform an extensive public information campaign on the Oil Fund, its goals and its future operations. He noted that many Azerbaijanis are not aware of its goals and operations and often have misconceptions about investing and its inherent risks. IGA with Kazakhstan -------------- ¶9. (C) Turning to the IGA negotiations with Kazakhstan, Sharifov explained that President Aliyev was ready to sign the agreement in May 2005. The Kazakhs balked and now Azerbaijan wanted to review several elements of the agreement and negotiate more specific language. Sharifov stressed that the GOAJ remains committed to the East-West energy corridor and pledged that the GOAJ would work to ensure that Caspian and Central Asian energy resources reach European and world markets. Caspian Gas to Europe -------------- ¶10. (C) DAS Bryza suggested to Sharifov that if Azerbaijan wished to sell gas to Italy, it needed to begin discussions now with Rome and Athens, as well as Turkey, on lining up necessary commercial and legal agrements. Sharifov agreed that Greece and Italy may be contemplating signing long-term gas contracts with Gazprom that may block GOAJ attempts to ship gas to Europe, and noted that Azerbaijan and Turkey would need to sign an agreement to facilitate the transshipment of gas to Europe. Sharifov requested USG assistance and Bryza indicated that he would work to arrange a meeting between the governments of Azerbaijan and Italy. Sharifov highlighted that the GOAJ wanted to become the gas and oil transshipment hub for Caspian and Central Asian natural resource exporting countries. ¶11. (U) S/P Director Krasner and EUR DAS Bryza cleared this message. HARNISH