10 years have passed since the establishment of “ABAD”

The foundation of an idea was laid ten years ago. In 2016, ABAD was presented to President Ilham Aliyev as a pilot project at Masalli "ASAN Life" Complex. On September 23 of that same year, the "ABAD" public legal entity was established by a decree of President Ilham Aliyev, launching a new support model for the development of family businesses.

Its operational reach expanded in 2017 with the opening of the Balakan ABAD Center. Through the state support and assistance provided by "PASHA Holding" as part of its social responsibility initiatives, the Quba ABAD Factory, Sheki ABAD Ceramics and Applied Arts Center, and Nardaran ABAD Ceramics and Applied Arts Center were established. Operations also extended into the tourism sector with the "Art Hotel by ABAD Guest".

According to information provided by the Public Relations Department of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, support has been provided to 723 family businesses to date. Of these, 542 operate in the crafts sector, 156 in food production, and 25 in other fields. Among the ABAD participants, 370 are women, 283 are men, and 70 are legal entities.

Over the course of 10 years, the sales volume of products manufactured by ABAD participants reached 20 million manats.

Through its "From Idea to the Shelf" approach, ABAD supports family businesses at every stage, from production to sales.

In 2017, the first ABAD Ethno-boutique was opened in Icherisheher with the support of SOCAR and TİKA. That same year, ABAD products went on sale at "Bravo" supermarkets for the first time; dedicated grocery sections and special sales stands were subsequently established there. The network of Ethno-boutiques expanded to locations at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport Duty-Free zone, National Gymnastics Arena, Tufandag Winter-Summer Tourism and Recreation Complex, "Fairmont Baku," Shamakhi, and Sheki, as well as Baku "ASAN Service" centers No. 3 and No. 7. Later, the products became available at retail chains such as "Grandmart," "Bolmart," "Megastor," "Rahat Gourmet," "Port Bazar," "Kontinental," "Aplus," "Araz Supermarket," and "Favorit Premium," and starting in 2025, consumers gained the ability to order products via major marketplace platforms like "Wolt Market" and "Bir Market". The direct support of "PASHA Holding" and collaboration with other partners opened up new opportunities for ABAD’s development and stimulated the growth of micro and small entrepreneurs.

By hosting the first International Ceramics Symposium, the Sheki ABAD Ceramics and Applied Arts Center contributed to Sheki’s inclusion in the European Route of Ceramics in 2021.

Currently, thousands of Azerbaijani citizens—engaged in the production of a wide range of handicrafts and food products, including natural honey collected from the liberated territories—are beneficiaries of the ABAD project.

Today, ABAD has become an integral part of the development journey and sustainable businesses of hundreds of families.

Source of the news: https://azertag.az/xeber/abadin_yaradilmasindan_10_il_otur-4425870

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