PAAFE, 16 May 2012 www.freeeconomy.az

Cost of Eurovision-2012 Song Contest in Baku A review of spending orders by the president of Azerbaijan and Cabinet of Ministers shows that just in terms of money explicitly allocated for Eurovision, Azerbaijan’s hosting of the hugely popular song contest will be the most expensive in the event’s history. 19 orders indicates that a total cost spent for Eurovision Song Contest is 629,8 million manats ($802,3 million), of which 355,5 million manats ($452,9 million) is direct expenses. Direct orders – those that specifically mention Eurovision:

• Construction of Crystal Hall-the venue to host Eurovison – 218,5 million manats; • Organization of Eurovision-2012 Song Contest and related events – 109,5 million manats; • Purchase of transport vehicles required for the organization of international events – 27,5 million

manats. Other spending:

• Reconstruction of highway to Flag Square – 97,3 million manats; • Renovation water supply and sanitation system in Flag Square – 12,08 milion manats; • Beautification of Flag Square – 94,9 million manats; • Repair and reconstruction of Tofig Bakhramov stadium – 70 million manats.

Please, see the details in table below: Items of expenditures

Order # Date of issue Issues by

Purpose Sum (manat)

Reconstruction of highway to Flag Square

24s 06.02.2012 CM

The construction of the Baku-Alat road’s 2-4 kilometer (The road to the Flag Square, Bayil settlement)

20 000 000

24s 06.02.2012 CM

Relocation of residential and non-residential facilities on automobile road that leads to Flag Square due to road construction

12 300 000

156s 16.06.2011

Reconstruction and repair of the Baku-Alat road’s 2-4 kilometer (The road to the Flag Square, Bayil settlement)

65 000 000

Renovation water supply and sanitation system in Flag Square

239s 10.08.2011 CM

Renovation water supply and sanitation system in Flag Square related with the repairing hightway

12 080 000

Building of Baku Sport Center

233s 08.08.2012 CM Construction of sport-concert complex

58 000 000

331s 20.10.2012 CM Construction of sport-concert complex

57 600 000

258 25.08.2011 CM Construction of sport-concert complex

50 000 000

24s 06.02.2012 CM Construction of sport-concert complex

46 900 000

1626 11.07.2011 P Construction of sport-concert complex

6 000 000

Beautification of Flag Square

24s 06.02.2012 CM

Renovation of the territory of the State Flag Square Complex, lighting, repair and construction works

39 909 400

156s 16.06.2011

Renovation of the territory of the State Flag Square Complex, lighting, repair and construction works

55 000 000

Repair and reconstruction of Tofig Bakhramov stadium

24s 06.02.2012 CM Repair and reconstruction of Tofig Bakhramov stadium

40 000 000

1617 06.07.2011 P Repair and reconstruction of Tofig Bakhramov stadium

10 000 000

380s 23.11.2011 CM To continue repair and reconstruction of Tofig Bakhramov stadium

20 000 000

Transportation 202s 26.07.2011 CM

Purchase of transport vehicles required for the organization of international events

27 500 000

Public TV (ITV) 238 10.08.2011 CM

Provision of financial guarantees for the European Broadcasting union related to ESC

8 500 000

Organization of concert trips of Eurovision winners in Azerbaijan and abroad

177s 04.07.2011 CM

Organization of concert trips of Eurovision winners in Azerbaijan and abroad

1 000 000

Organization of international events

370s 15.11.2011 CM

Organization of three international events and Eurovision and some others small events

50 000 000

Organization of Eurovision-2012 Song Contest

10.02.2012 CM Organization of Eurovision-2012 Song Contest

50 000 000

Total 629 789 400 US$ 802 279 490