The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication concluded the monitoring and evaluation process for the first half of 2024 regarding the implementation of the "First State Program on the Great Return to the Territories Liberated from Occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan." According to the Center’s Advisor to the Executive Director, Tarana Salifova, approximately 28,000 hectares of territory were cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance within the framework of the State Program’s action plan under the priority of "Organization of Safe Living in the Territories and State Administration." Additionally, the "Lachin" customs post was established at the Lachin state border.

During the reporting period, 767 families comprising 2,904 individuals were relocated to the cities of Shusha, Fuzuli, and Lachin, as well as the villages of Zabux and Sus in the Lachin district, to facilitate the population’s return. A total of 612 people were employed in the liberated areas.

Salifova also highlighted the progress in reconstructing infrastructure in the liberated territories. She noted that 72.2 km of 110 kV and 262 km of 330 kV power transmission lines were constructed to provide high-voltage electricity to the areas. In terms of telecommunications and postal infrastructure, postal services were reorganized in two settlements, administrative buildings were constructed, one radio-television broadcasting station was put into operation, and 11 new base stations for mobile telecommunications were installed. Additionally, a 5 km railway line was completed.

Regarding national and local highways, road infrastructure development continued in the Kalbajar and Lachin regions, along with the internal roads of Agdam city, and the Khudafarin-Gubadli-Lachin, Ahmadbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha, Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband, Toganali-Kalbajar-Istisu, and Shusha-Lachin highways. Codes were also obtained for Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Lachin International Airports, and flights at Fuzuli and Zangilan airports have commenced.

To enhance access to banking, insurance, and financial services for the returning population, the number of bank branches in the region increased to two, located in the city of Lachin and the Zangilan district. Banks and Azerpocht installed 611 POS-terminals in the freed areas of the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions.

To foster entrepreneurial activity, 11 enterprises were registered as residents and one enterprise as a non-resident in the industrial parks of the regions. In total, 170 projects in the processing industry and service infrastructure sectors were supported. Additionally, concessional loans were granted to finance investment projects for three business entities, and planting subsidies were provided to 12 agricultural producers in the liberated areas, funded by the state budget.

The monitoring of the State Program during this reporting period was conducted via the electronic portal, in close cooperation with executive bodies (institutions), in accordance with the requirements of the "Rules for Compilation, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation of State Programs," approved by Presidential Decree No. 1294 dated March 6, 2021 (https://boyukqayidish.gov.az). The monitoring was based on the principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.