Azerbaijan and Belgium need to expand cooperation in the field of investment, industry, agriculture and other non-oil sectors, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev said during Azerbaijani-Belgian business forum held in Baku April 30.

“Co-operation with Belgium, which is one of the most developed countries of Europe, will be a huge advantage for Azerbaijani businessmen,” Babayev said.

He went on to add that the joint business forum, as well as bilateral meetings between representatives of Azerbaijani and Belgian companies are an excellent chance to expand the business relationship.

The deputy minister said that Azerbaijan continues to work very closely with the European countries – more than 50 percent of investments in the country come from Europe, including Belgium. “Over the last year, the trade turnover between our countries grew by 30 percent, and over the first quarter of 2015 – already by 66 percent,” he said.

Underscoring the rapidly developing relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium, Babayev said that this is already the fifth joint event over the last two years. “Azerbaijan and Belgium signed seven agreements, three of which are in the economic sphere,” said the deputy minister. “These agreements are the regulatory framework for the development of further economic relations between our countries.”