The ties between Europe and Asia have expanded in the recent years. The West, facing serious problems due to the financial crisis, looked for solutions in Asia, which in turn has showcased great resilience to external shocks.

However, currently, there is no financial bridge connecting them. But the unique location of Azerbaijan and its economic stability could turn the country into a link between the West and Asia.

Azerbaijan is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. And at the same time, we can say the country has no competitors in the region.

Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan has a strong economy and closer ties with the European and Eastern countries. Armenia, in fact, only exists with help of the funds received from international donors.

Moreover, the occupation of Azerbaijani lands left Armenia on the sidelines of regional development. In such a situation, considering Yerevan as a regional financial center is meaningless – Armenia has much more pressing problems.

Georgia doesn’t have the natural resources that Azerbaijan has, while its financial sector is smaller and Georgia lacks the necessary infrastructure. Aside from that, 75 percent of the entire economy of the South Caucasus is concentrated in Azerbaijan.

As for Central Asia, here were can talk only about Kazakhstan, as the rest of the region countries are too closed. However, Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

A number of Kazakh experts believe the EEU is a threat to the country’s independence and sovereignty, and that Kazakh producers could simply not compete with Russian and Belarusian producers, which would affect the economy’s decline.

On the other hand, if the EEU countries were just to become withdrawn, this would also reduce Kazakhstan’s attractiveness for international companies and investors.

Iran is also excluded from the list for obvious reasons. Although the P5+1 and Iran reached agreements on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, it is still too early to talk about lifting sanctions from that country.

Second, the large transport projects such as TRACECA (designed for creating railway, maritime, air and road transport corridor from China and Mongolia to Europe, bypassing Russia) or the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will allow the prospective investors to get unhindered access to European and Asia countries.

Third, Azerbaijan has the most favorable business environment. This fact is mentioned by many international organizations as well. The international players need a predictable and stable economic environment.

Inflation in Azerbaijan will be 7.9 percent as a result of the sharp drop in oil prices, according to IMF forecasts. Nevertheless, it is one of the lowest figures in the region: inflation in Russia for 2015 is expected to reach 17.9 percent, Uzbekistan – 9.5 percent, Ukraine – 33.5 percent, Belarus – 22.1 percent, Kyrgyzstan – 10.7 percent.

Possession of the necessary infrastructure, that’s to say, apartments, hotels, business centers is one of the factors needed to become a regional financial center and one that Baku abundantly provides.

The status of the regional financial center implies visits of businessmen from different countries, various business forums, and the holding of major events such as the 48th meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Baku.

This event attracted around 3,000 people from 67 countries of the world aside from several other events held in parallel with the ADB meeting. We can say that in this context, Azerbaijan has a sufficiently developed infrastructure. Meanwhile, the public transport, communications and other spheres are also developing in the country.

The interest of foreign investors in Azerbaijan is growing rapidly. The direct investments made in the country totaled $8 billion in 2014, or 26.98 percent more than in 2013.

Azerbaijan has the largest economy in the South Caucasus. Currently, the largest port in the region is under construction in Baku, the city’s infrastructure, including the road infrastructure is developing. The country is the initiator of the largest regional projects. Given that in fact, there are no rivals in the region, Azerbaijan has all that it takes to turn into the region’s financial center and bridge between continents.