Samir Sharifov, Chairman of the National Committee on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Executive Director of the State Oil Fund received on March 30 a Policy Adviser of the Extractive Industries Team of the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom. The Committee Chairman informed Mr. Sefton Darby about the work done and meetings held by the Committee, including the discussions launched on March 18 with the Azerbaijan extractive sector companies to discuss a company reporting form under EITI.

It was underlined that the representatives of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also have been demonstrating special interest in the process. Mr. Sharifov stressed that the authority devotes its attention to involving NGOs to EITI. He indicated that the next meeting on EITI regarding company reporting will be arranged on April 5 with participation of the representatives of NGOs. Mr. Sharifov invited the British official to the forthcoming discussions on company reporting forms that will include the participation of foreign and national companies of the extractive sector and also NGO representatives. He underscored that the National Committee on EITI would continue to involve NGOs into EITI.

Chris Gotch, Secretary for Energy, Trade and Investment of the British Embassy in Baku also attended the meeting.

The National Committee on EITI was established on November 13, 2003 by Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan following an instruction of President Ilham Aliyev.

The Republic of Azerbaijan joined EITI on June 17, 2003 at the International Conference on EITI in London.