Overview

Before 2008 entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Azerbaijan had to register at 5 different agencies, complete 15 procedures, and file 33 documents. It took more than 2 months. But in 2008 Azerbaijan launched a new company registration system—and the reform went through in just 3 months. As of January 1, 2008 an entrepreneur can be ready to do business much faster—by submitting 7 documents and completing 6 procedures at the new, one-stop shop State Business Registry.

This case study looks at how Azerbaijan made starting a business easier for entrepreneurs.  Azerbaijan’s quickly implemented reform is helping to facilitate sound growth and diversify beyond the country’s booming oil industry.

Main Findings

• Cutting the number of required procedures in half and opening a convenient one-stop shop has helped facilitate business startups.
• Within its first 6 working days, the new one-stop shop State Business Registry registered 572 business startups.
• Since January 2008, 3,465 limited liability companies have been registered at 14 different State Business Registries across the country.