Economical potential of Azerbaijan

I am very interested in the historical period of the beginning of XX century, especially the time from the 1915-1922. In that period of the history there were a lot of unprecendented changes in the Global structure and power balance between the key empires: UK, USA, France. And even at that time the Caucasian region was under the big attention of this countries. Especially, Baku and it's provinces. I'm always trying to understand what in Azerbaijan is affecting global leaders. Oil? Strategic location in East and West joint? Caspian sea and it's recourses? And I came to conclusion that all of this parameters are the main attracting reason. Also to control such successful (from the geopolitical view point) - is to have influence on Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, even Iraq. Not even influence, but to have cross country business relationships.

For me Azerbaijan, is future transit country with high developed IT/IS technologies, Oil and Gas equipment manufacturing and scientific center, highly devloped touristic country. Azerbaijan's participation in the global transportation projects like an oil pipeline form Baku-Jeyhan, railway from Baku to Turkey throw Georgia - are the main steps which will transfor this country to the international transit center. Also Azerbaijan might be in a middle term period a big international air hub-center.

Europe is interested in diversification of it's oil and gas suppliers (Russia, Iran, Iraq). China is interested in regional transportation corridor throw which they can transportate their production bypass Russian TransSiberia Railway (again to diversify transportation monopoly) and deliver the production throw Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey to Europe.

Even Iran and Russia are interested to connect their Power Systems into one SuperSystem - and of course Azerbaijan's participation in such corridor is important.

The government of the country should pay attention on diversifying the economy. Now the main point of Azerbaijan's export - is oil.

The country cannot live relying only on oil needle. The country shoud develop and increase manufacturing: building materials production, advanced technology products and so on.

Now the potential of Azerbaijanian Economy is very huge. The problem is = how to manage this potential properly and to bring in a big revenues to the nation...

Elvin