Economy of Naftalan is based on the sanatorium-resort service. Naftalan has the capacity to receive about 2,200 local and foreign tourists a day, even the number of tourists have reached to 40,000 in 2019. Gross output in 2019 increased by 22.5 percent compared to 2018 and amounted to 34 million 983 thousand manat. Accordinh to our statistical record:
Additionally, the share of agricultural products in the total output was 1 million 514.8 thousand manats, the volume of construction works increased by 53.8% and amounted to 21 million 858.7 thousand manats. Economic growth was obviously reflected to the wage incomes of the population, the average monthly salary per employee in the reporting year increased by 22 percent compared to 2018 and increased by 432.9 manats. The revenue part of the local budget of the city was 3 million 87,941 thousand manats due to the profits from local sources, while 2 million 957 thousand manats were planned. Namely, it 4.4 percent or 130,941 thousand manats more funds were received than planned. Expenditures amounted to 2 million 656,876 thousand manats. During this period, the financing of basic social payments was provided, all obligations on salaries and pensions were fulfilled. For 4 years, the city of Naftalan covers its expenses from its local incomes. Naturally, Naftalan has achieved this due to the reforms carried out by the President in the tourism sector of the city and the revenues from modern tourism centers commissioned in our city in accordance with these reforms.
Strengthening the social protection of persons with disabilities, expanding their opportunities for medical and social rehabilitation is an important part of the successful social policy of President Ilham Aliyev. At the same time, in accordance with the instructions of the President, conditions are created in rehabilitation centers in accordance with modern requirements. Last year, the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities was opened in Naftalan after major overhaul and reconstruction.
The enterprise is also equipped with new modern medical rehabilitation equipment. In addition to medical and social rehabilitation services based on the application of effective physiotherapeutic methods to people with disabilities, treatment procedures with naphthalene oil are also applied here.
Last year, 912 people were registered as job seekers by the Employment Center, 426 of them were provided with jobs. In general, about 1,000 people currently work in the new modern treatment and recreation centers built and put into operation by entrepreneurs in recent years. Also, 227 people were provided with jobs in Naftalan on vacancies provided by government agencies on the basis of the social initiative of the President to create new jobs, as well as on the newly created landscaping and cleaning work. 24 of them were involved in non-permanent landscaping and cleaning works at SOCAR, 28 at Naftalan Electric Network, and 175 at DOST-Ish Markazi LLC.
In accordance with the relevant Order of the President dated April 7, 2016 "On additional measures to ensure self-employment", residents of Naftalan also benefit from the involvement of low-income city residents looking for work. In accordance with the relevant Order of the President dated April 7, 2016 "On additional measures to ensure self- employment", residents of Naftalan also benefit from the involvement of low-income city residents looking for work. Last year, the number of self-employed in the city reached 43 people. These 43 people were involved in self-employment trainings and 32 of them with high results, taking into account their potential, were provided with livestock and equipment according to the profile provided in the business plans. The main goal of this project is to enable these citizens to build a successful business to improve their families and living standards.
During the reporting period, the construction projects submitted by many investors to the Department of Architecture and Construction of the City Executive Power were reviewed by the department in accordance with the law, construction projects were approved in accordance with construction norms and rules, as well as the appearance of the city. Taking into account the increase in the number of tourists and the demand, the Naftalan City Executive Power will continue to support entrepreneurs who want to open new health and recreation centers.
At present, the construction of a new 10-storey bus station hotel complex in the city is being completed. The total area of the complex, located near the center of Naftalan, is 1 hectare, the construction area is 2509 square meters. The building will have shopping centers, hotel rooms, offices and a large restaurant. The complex includes a spacious hall, cash registers, storage rooms. Hotel rooms will start from the third floor.
Naftalan Hotel & SPA is one of the reconstructed health and recreation centers in Naftalan. The 10-storey, 172 -bed center is being completed soon. Construction works are underway at the 4-storey, 288-bed “Gold Naftalan” Health and Recreation Center, which built on Nizami Street in Naftalan, with a total land area of 1 hectare. The new 76- room, 176-bed Naftalan sanatorium complex, construction of which began in the reporting
year, will consist of two buildings, a 5-storey treatment and polyclinic, and a 6-storey dormitory. In addition, a new four-storey sanatorium complex located at 11 Nizami Street is under construction. This sanatorium has 88 rooms and 192 beds.
It is known that tourism, one of the most developed sectors of the non-oil sector in the country, is the basis of the economy of many regions, especially the city of Naftalan, which is famous for its medicinal oil. Last year, the dynamic development of this area continued and innovative steps were taken. The number of people having rest and getting treatment in Naftalan, which is one of the main centers of health tourism in our country and world famous for its unique therapeutic oil, is growing every year.
In 2019, the number of tourist trips to Naftalan reached a record high - 40,000 tourists visited the city. 40% of them came from 61 countries.The majority of tourists were from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Israel, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lithuania. In addition, tourists from the United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Bahrain, Qatar, Iran, China, Estonia, Germany, Georgia, the United States, Kyrgyzstan and Canada also used the services of resorts and sanatoriums. As noted by the President, Naftalan was once the All-Union tourism center. Today we are turning it into an international tourism center. Currently, there are 11 tourist facilities in Naftalan, where more than 2,500 tourists a day can receive treatment and rest. After the commissioning of tourism facilities under construction in the city, Naftalan will be able to provide hotels and medical services to about 3,500 tourists a day. planned to be 2 million 957 thousand manat.