Mr. Rashad Aliyev

Fond of numbers and the financial world since early in his own life, the talented Azeri, Mr. Rashad Aliyev, CEO of Azmont Investments, converses with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN about the main focus of his company in real estate and operations of Portonovi Resort and the plans of this unparalleled destination for 2023 for another splendid season.

“At Azmont Investments, as an investor, we are proud to recognize the incomparable potential of Montenegro and its stunning natural beauty. We have created an idyllic village in Boka Bay within this amazing destination,” Mr. Aliyev points out in this exclusive interview.

Growing Portonovi Resort, worth about one billion euros, is developed by Azmont Investments in 2012 when the company entered the Montenegrin market. At the same time, this world-class resort with a state-of-the-art marina and the first One&Only in Europe is the biggest investment project of Azerbaijan outside of the country.

Appointed CEO of Azmont Investments in 2015, Mr. Aliyev is happy that “after development and construction, we bring life to Portonovi. This is our main focus, and all our efforts are now focused on real estate and operations of the Resort.”

In his view, Portonovi is a heaven for investors.

“Real estate near water is known to hold its value and appreciate over time, even during market fluctuations. This is precisely why Portonovi has recently become a popular destination for investors who foresee significant increases in property prices,” he said, adding “Owning a property in Portonovi could allow investors to diversify their current portfolio.”

Full interview below:

Mr. Aliyev, thank you so much for accepting our request for interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE!

Before becoming the CEO of Azmont Investment, you held many high positions relating to finance and banking. Please can you walk through your story?

My passion for numbers and the financial world drove me to launch my career in finance and banking. Over time, I worked my way up the ladder in Azerbaijan’s finance sector, taking on various high-ranking roles such as auditor, senior financial analyst, and chief financial officer. My dedication, hard work, and expertise in finance and banking were recognized by my superiors, who entrusted me with managing complex financial portfolios.

In 2015, I was appointed as CEO of Azmont Investments in Montenegro. Taking charge of investment activities for the company, I led a team that focused on developing complex hospitality project. This was a challenging yet rewarding experience that allowed me to showcase my skills as a leader while also contributing to the growth of the company’s investment portfolio. I see this as a transformative time whereby my leadership skills were put into practice managing complex real estate and hospitality projects while keeping track of rapid developments within our investment portfolio for sustained growth throughout Montenegro’s economy.

Which practices can you attribute to your insight as being the CEO of Azmont Investment?

As the CEO of Azmont Investment, a proud developer of Portonovi, my insight has been shaped by various practices and personal traits.

My commitment to excellence comes from my experience with strategic management, operations management, financial planning and budgeting, auditing/ compliance, and investment analysis management. All these areas require me to have mastery, intellectual curiosity, and be self-assured when making decisions.

Throughout my career, I have placed a strong emphasis on team development. By fostering collaboration and communication among team members, we have been able to achieve impressive results in all areas of the business. As a CEO, developing talent and fostering that sets your team up for success.

What are the main advantages that make your company so special?

Joining the team at Portonovi means becoming a part of an international group of diverse professionals dedicated to achieving a common goal: making meaningful contributions towards the development and growth of their country. It’s not just about finding a job but also about personal development in an invigorating environment!

With this exceptional blend of global and local knowledge, employees can explore thrilling career prospects while experimenting with new concepts from big brands never seen before in this location. What better way to gain valuable international experience and local pride in the hospitality industry…

Tell us about your employees and your company’s future plans.

At Azmont Investments, as an investor, we are proud to recognize the incomparable potential of Montenegro and its stunning natural beauty. We have created an idyllic village in Boka Bay within this amazing destination. This address aims not only to draw attention as a tourist hot spot but also with carefully chosen residential developments which bring life into this remarkable corner of Europe.

Through investments we made in real estate and resort operations, we aim to stimulate positive economic growth while further enhancing what makes Montenegro so appealing to travellers worldwide. We are always open to new opportunities, but what is important is that after development and construction, we bring life to Portonovi. This is our main focus, and all our efforts are now focused on real estate and operations of the Resort. When the time comes, we will happily look into new opportunities.

Why are you in Love with Portonovi? How would you describe to those who have not yet visited it?

Portonovi prides itself on being a luxurious but tranquil escape for those who appreciate the beautiful nature of Boka Bay, premium-quality properties, worldclass interiors, and a fusion of extraordinary restaurants, bars, and high fashion offers.

Still, Portonovi has that unique combination of great geographical position, wonderful nature, exceptional properties, outstanding interiors, international cuisine, and an exceptional lifestyle.

Our location, at the very entrance of Boka Bay, provides the luxury of waking up to unforgettable sunrises behind hills and evenly majestic sunsets, which are unique on the Montenegrin coast. Away from the hustle and everyday crowd, we are a cosy village by the sea, which attracts our investors and visitors. There are many luxurious resorts in the world and Montenegro as well.

Still, Portonovi has that unique combination of great geographical position, wonderful nature, exceptional properties, outstanding interiors, international cuisine, and an exceptional lifestyle.

Portonovi has become a popular destination for investors, who foresee significant increases in property prices. Therefore, taking advantage of this trend and achieving higher returns in the long run may be opportune. Additionally, owning a property in Portonovi could be a way for investors to diversify their current portfolio, according to some experts in the field. Many residents have also purchased a property and decided to rent it when they are away from home to generate an additional steady income.

Guests can choose between various extraordinary properties such as Village Residences, Marina Apartments, luxurious Sky Villas, or exclusive One&Only Private Homes - each offering its unique atmosphere while sharing Portonovi core values: relaxation, social interaction, and entertainment with close access to anything they may need. Digital nomads will undoubtedly appreciate our high-speed internet connections, laptop-friendly spaces across the resort, and abundant workout opportunities along offsite trips that uncover breathtaking sights in neighbouring cities.

Our services and offerings are continuously evolving to meet customer need better so that we can provide them with an incomparable experience when traveling abroad.

Portonovi offers a secure future by investing in luxury real estate. Can you elaborate on this please?

Montenegro possesses great potential for tourism, which is vital for socioeconomic growth. However, government infrastructure development and air connectivity investments are essential to realizing these aspirations. Through investments we made in real estate and resort operations, we aim to stimulate positive economic growth while further enhancing what makes Montenegro so appealing to travellers worldwide.

Montenegro as a destination is becoming popular for investors looking to secure their wealth, thanks to its prime location, luxurious lifestyle, favorable legislation, and high returns. Real estate near water is known to hold its value and appreciate over time, even during market fluctuations. This is precisely why Portonovi has recently become a popular destination for investors who foresee significant increases in property prices. Therefore, taking advantage of this trend and achieving higher returns may be opportune in the long run. Additionally, owning a property in Portonovi could allow investors to diversify their current portfolio.

You have talked about bold plans for 2023 for Portonovi’s new season. Can you reveal something? What are your expectations? Portonovi was a sparkling success in 2022, culminating in year-end festivities that attracted 100 thousand visitors. With bold plans for 2023 and unparalleled dedication to excellence underpinning our fundamental approach, Portonovi is set to have another splendid season. We constantly strive for perfection as we welcome returning guests with open armstheir satisfaction remains the cornerstone of our ongoing mission.

Also, the One&Only Portonovi Hotel has achieved an incredible feat, boasting the highest LQA (Leading Quality Assurance) result among all One&Only Resorts. The exemplary reservations team at this European flagship resort continues to raise the bar in service excellence and reservation standards year after year.

We are proud that Portonovi Resort’s efforts were recognized with a 2023 Booking.com Traveller Review Award — a remarkable accomplishment reflecting our commitment to continual growth and improvement as a 5-star resort.

We anticipate 2023 as an opportunity for travel and discovery, equipped with insights from the past three years.

The resort concept overall resonates with the global audience considering the Covid-19 pandemic consequences, especially behavioural shifts with people willing to find new destinations to relocate and to work remotely while connecting with nature simultaneously. Following these recent trends, Montenegro introduced a digital nomad visa. So, these are just some, and we are sure more will come as we live in a world of constant changes. We all need to adapt and provide services and offerings that meet the needs of our customers, existing or future ones. We are thrilled to welcome more guests who can anticipate memorable journeys full of captivating experiences.