BP on behalf of the co-venturers in the joint ventures that BP operates in Azerbaijan - the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC), Shah Deniz and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), have partnered with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support the transition of international best practices in facilitating efficient implementation of the government’s migration strategies, policies and legislation through capacity-building and technical assistance. The project also includes provision of software and specific training support aiming to increase the quality and quantity of e-governance services in this area
.As part of this partnership, BP and its co-venturers have been co-financing the European Union-funded project “Consolidation of Migration and Border Management Capacities in Azerbaijan”, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The beneficiaries of the project are the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population and other relevant state agencies including the State Border Service.
The project was launched in 2015. The total contribution of BP and its co-venturers to the project is 664,913 EURO allocated in six phases within the four years of the project duration (2015-2018)
.To date BP and its co-venturers have funded the following parts of the project:
- The assessment report on Azerbaijan’s visa issuance mechanism aimed at assisting in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Azerbaijani visa management system;
- The first Consular Reference Manual for Consular Officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs developed in the delivery of consular services in the overseas missions and at the Ministry level and capacity-building trainings for Consular Officers ;
- A comprehensive needs assessment of the current institutional and operational migration management frameworks vis-a-vis the EU acquis and international standards;
- Assessment of the Labour Market Information System to produce accurate and timely information for a better management of labour migration;
- Assessment of the existing workflow of the State Migration Service (SMS) e-services and assessment of the existing IT infrastructure of the SMS in order to modernize the e-governance and e-services for migrants/foreigners .
- The first e-service already developed and launched to simplify the process of payment of state duties and administrative fines imposed on foreigners and stateless persons by the SMS through the ASANPAY payment system.
- New software to enable collection and processing of information while using up-to-date web-based technologies;
- improvement of e-services by introducing new features such as, online submission of documents, e-signature and online status tracking of applications and their inclusion in the e-government portal, in line with the best practices; establishment of a system of e-document circulation within the SMS portal to provide easier and more convenient access to information and services to foreigners and nationals;
- A fully equipped modern English language laboratory for the SMS staff to help improve technical and human resources capacities of migration authorities to contribute to the establishment and functioning of an effective migration management mechanism in Azerbaijan.
Notes to Editors
The project is part of BP and its co-venturers’ commitment to supporting effective governance initiatives in Azerbaijan. As part of this commitment, BP and its co-venturers have previously implemented a number of successful initiatives including some in support of creating business enabling environment, enhancing macroeconomic management and institutional reform for the Ministry of Economy and Industry
Further information:
Tamam Bayatly at BP’s Press Office in Baku,
tel.: (+994 12) 599 4557