Chairman of the parliamentary Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology Committee Sadig Gurbanov introduced the 2^nd-reading new Electrical Energy Bill as the only item on the agenda of the committee meeting he opened on 1 March.

Referring to the discussion of the Bill in the 1^st reading and the answers given to MPs’ questions, Mr. Gurbanov said that the document would ensure development of the electricity sector in Azerbaijan, promotion of private investments and competitive environment. It will also improve the sector’s efficiency, provide for consumer interests and maintain the quality of products and services, according to the committee head. Mr Gurbanov described the Bill as a means of preparing the energy sector for a new phase and explained that it will create conditions for more sustainable, efficient and high-quality energy production, and that the Bill was in line with such strategic development priorities as clean environment, energy diversification and a green economy.

Deputy Committee Chairman Asim Mollazade and committee members Naghif Hamzayev, Iltizam Yusifov and Nasib Mahamaliyev found that the draft law reflected a perspective approach to the matter in hand. They spoke of what benefit it would bring to consumers and its eventual bullish impact on the growth of the power sector and of the national export potential.

It was recommended in the end that the Electrical Energy Bill be brought before the House in the 2^nd reading.

The other participants of the meeting included MP Anar Mammadov, Mashhur Mammadov, Aliabbas Salahzade, Fatma Yildirim and Mikhail Zabelin.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis