Investment Forum Momentum: Azerbaijan’s 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026) opened in Baku under President Ilham Aliyev, focusing on restoring trust and turning the South Caucasus into a connectivity and investment hub; Middle Corridor & TRIPP: officials said the Middle Corridor could triple trade flows by 2030, while TRIPP progress and Armenia-Azerbaijan transport unblocking are framed as catalysts for regional commerce; US-Azerbaijan Dealmaking: US Chargé d’Affaires Amy Carlon called relations “remarkable,” as Deputy FM Elnur Mammadov said work is underway on an agreement with the US to secure critical minerals and expand practical cooperation; Banking & Finance: Azerbaijani banks’ net profit rose 22.7% to AZN 949.7m in Jan–Aug 2026; FDI & Industrial Policy: AIIF sessions highlighted expanding economic zones (industrial parks, Alat FEZ) and a push to create value beyond transit; Bilateral Business Moves: Azerbaijan-Oman Joint Investment Fund plans to take a non-voting stake in Azer-Turk Bank; Trade Signals After Peace Talks: Armenia exported aluminium foil to Azerbaijan for the first time since intensified 2025 peace talks; Energy Projects: AzerEnerji is building two hydropower plants in Ağdərə (Çardaqlı-1 and Çardaqlı-2) and reported related grid upgrades.