Cross-border Exchange on Modern HR Practices and Training Activities between the IOTA Members of Azerbaijan and Switzerland
Bern, Switzerland - November 4, 2025 — The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) is pleased to announce that the FTA’s HR Team recently welcomed five delegates from the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for a two-day professional exchange in Bern, Switzerland.
The meeting was a result of previous forum meetings and presentations within the IOTA framework. During the visit, delegates aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the FTA and its Human Resources Management. The programme, therefore, included topics such as the FTA's salary and incentive system, performance management, employer branding, and the use of automation and artificial intelligence in human resources. The FTA’s Internal Specialist Training Courses in VAT and the Swiss Tax Conference were also part of the exchange.
Khumar Ismayilova, Team Leader HR from Azerbaijan, was particularly interested in the FTA's digital pre-boarding process: ‘For our pre-boarding, we learned about a specific product, the FTA's HR app, which we can also introduce at our organisation,’ highlighted Mrs Ismayilova.
Professional and Personal Exchange
The two-day event provided HR professionals with the opportunity to share their experiences in employee health and talent development.
The intercultural comparison also delivered exciting insights: Leyla Babayeva, Deputy HR Director from Azerbaijan, emphasised that there is significantly more flexibility in working models in Switzerland, such as part-time work and working from home, which are not yet as common in Azerbaijan. ‘The FTA is very advanced in this respect,’ she said. Kamran Karimov, HR Expert, also expressed his admiration: 'I was extremely impressed by the fact that the FTA operates in three official languages. I also gained valuable information on performance appraisal and training activities,’ added Mr Karimov.
In addition to the technical insights, the visit also offered a unique opportunity to deepen cultural and personal relationships between the two administrations – whether over lunch, a traditional Swiss fondue dinner together, or during an evening stroll through the charming old town of Bern.
The event demonstrated that cross-border exchanges foster new perspectives on effective performance management, authentic employer branding, and the meaningful use of automation. Comparing different approaches also provides valuable impetus for innovation, efficiency and modern Human Resources Management.
