The second stage of the “Best Managed Companies Azerbaijan 2026” business competition, implemented in partnership between PASHA Bank and Deloitte Private, has officially started.

This stage of the competition is of particular importance, as it focuses on an in-depth analysis of participating companies’ business potential, as well as the assessment of their management and leadership practices based on international standards.

Within the framework of the second stage, participating companies gain the opportunity to more thoroughly evaluate their operating models through business meetings held with professional experts. During these meetings, discussions are conducted based on specially designed questions, leading international best practices are shared, and companies’ strategic development prospects are comprehensively analyzed.

The “Best Managed Companies” program enables participating companies to benchmark their performance against international best practices, enhance their management processes, and develop a new strategic vision for long-term growth. The program serves as a prestigious international platform for recognizing companies with strong governance, competitive strength, and sustainable business models.

It should be noted that the “Best Managed Companies Azerbaijan” competition is aimed at promoting leading private-sector Azerbaijani companies with annual revenues exceeding AZN 20 million at both local and international levels. Within the framework of the programme, winning companies join the global “Best Managed Companies” network, gaining the opportunity to be represented on the same platform as leading companies worldwide.

The project is sponsored by PASHA Bank and Deloitte Private, with partners including the Business Development Fund, the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham Azerbaijan), ADA University, and Public Television.

The “Best Managed Companies” awards programme was first launched in Canada in 1993 and is now recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious business assessment programs. Today, the program is successfully implemented in 46 countries, including the United States, China, European countries, Southeast Asia, T, Mexico, and Chile.

The programme has been held in Azerbaijan since 2021. To date, nearly 50 companies have participated in the competition, with 11 companies awarded the “Best Managed Companies Azerbaijan” title. The winners include Araz Supermarket Chain, AVRORA Group, Azerconnect Group, Bridge Group of Companies, Embawood, NORM Cement (two-time winner), SƏBA, OBA Market, Veysəloğlu Group of Companies (two consecutive years), METAK (four consecutive years and Gold Award laureate), and Azersun Holding.

For more detailed information about the competition, please visit the website.