On June 30, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, visited "Azeripek" OJSC, one of Azerbaijan's oldest industrial enterprises and a primary symbol of the nation's silk-weaving heritage.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Leyla Aliyeva was provided with a detailed briefing regarding the facility's operations.
It was noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, "Azeripek" OJSC holds strategic importance within the framework of state policies aimed at preserving national cultural heritage, developing traditional craftsmanship, strengthening the non-oil industrial sector, and promoting the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand internationally. Operating under the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the enterprise boasts a history spanning over a century and remains the only silk combine currently producing natural silk in the country.
"Azeripek" OJSC functions not merely as a production facility but as a strategic industrial complex with a vital mission: to preserve and pass on Azerbaijan's rich silk-weaving traditions, national craftsmanship, and cultural heritage to future generations. By adhering to production principles based on environmentally friendly, fully natural raw materials, the enterprise contributes to the development of a green economy while representing Azerbaijani silk in global markets.
It was highlighted that through the operations of "Azeripek" OJSC, thousands of silkworm breeders and farmers across more than 40 districts of Azerbaijan are engaged in sericulture, with over 400 employees working directly at the facility. The enterprise makes a significant contribution to increasing employment in the regions, developing agriculture, and forming a sustainable value chain in the silk industry.
During the visit, Leyla Aliyeva toured the cocoon processing workshop, the weaving department, and the workshop dedicated to the national kelagayi art—a craft included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She familiarized herself with all stages of natural Azerbaijani silk production and the process of integrating modern technologies to preserve and develop ancient craftsmanship traditions.
Leyla Aliyeva engaged in a warm conversation with the employees, commending their professionalism and their dedication to preserving national silk-weaving traditions, and took commemorative photos with the staff.
At the conclusion of the visit, Leyla Aliyeva was presented with a traditional kelagayi.
This visit serves as a testament to the high level of attention and respect accorded to Azerbaijan's national heritage, the silk industry, and the century-old traditions of "Azeripek" OJSC. It further underscores the importance placed on the development of national production, environmentally friendly products, and traditional craftsmanship within the country.
