On December 5-7, Eurasia Extractive Industries Knowledge Hub, Khazar University and Natural Resource Governance Institute – NRGI) jointly held a training on “Legal and Fiscal Frameworks of Extractive Industries.” The objective of the event was to discuss and offer training on the legal and fiscal models of countries operating extractive industries in oil and gas in Eurasia. 27 specialists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Ukraine participated in the event.

The founder of Khazar University and Chairman of Board of Directors and Trustees, Prof. Hamlet Isaxanli, welcomed the guests. The Regional Deputy Director of Swiss Cooperation Office, Ms Simone Haeberli, followed his speech, welcoming the participants and wishing them fruitful learning processes at the training sessions.

Galib Afandiyev, the NRGI regional director, noted that this was the first Eurasia Knowledge Hub training on legal issues and fiscal frameworks. The topic was selected because of a felt need in the countries of the region.

Ingilab Ahmadov, director of the Eurasia Knowledge Hub and Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Khazar University, opened the first training session. Afterwards, Amir Shafaei, Senior Legal Expert from NRGI, New York, led the training course on “Legal Frameworks and License Allocation.” Other trainings were also held. During the second session on License Allocation, participants completed practical tasks in groups based on legal concepts.

The second day of the training was dedicated to the Fiscal Tools in Extractive Industries. NRGI’s expert from Mongolia, Dorjdari Namkhaijantsan, started the day with a lecture on “From Resources to Revenues.” The presentation provoked questions about the local content requirements and distribution of revenues on natural resources between the company and state.

Senior Legal Analyst from NRGI, Amir Shafaei, delivered a session on “Main Fiscal Tools.” The presentations were followed by a question and answer session. Thereafter, participants were divided into four groups for Practical Assignment on Fiscal Tools.

            On the third day of the training, topics included “Fiscal Modeling: Why is it necessary?”, “How to Apply Practical Working Models,” and more. The trainers were Amir Shafei and Dorjdari Namkhaijantsan.

The training was wrapped up on the third afternoon and participants were given certificates.