Early life & education
Safarov Elchin was born on 10 July 1960 in Baku, then part of the Azerbaijani SSR. From an early age, he showed a strong inclination toward economics, governance, and public administration. His academic journey led him to the prestigious Faculty of Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, from where he graduated in 1983. During his university years, he developed a deep understanding of economic systems, international trade, and fiscal policy. Later, he earned the degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences, further strengthening his analytical and professional foundation. His education played a key role in shaping his future contributions to state institutions and large-scale economic projects.
Customs service (1984–2004)
Safarov Elchin began his career in 1984 by joining the USSR customs system, entering a field that would define his professional legacy for two decades. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, gaining recognition for his expertise and leadership abilities. He later served in the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation and subsequently in the Federal Customs Service.
During his tenure, he became one of the co-authors of the Russian Customs Codes of 1993 and 2003, which were instrumental in modernizing the country’s customs framework. These reforms introduced more transparency, efficiency, and alignment with international standards. He also played a central role in implementing several key mechanisms, including the Goods Customs Declaration system and the institutionalization of customs brokers and specialized carriers.
In addition, Safarov contributed to the development of advanced customs regimes such as temporary import, in-territory processing, customs warehouses, and duty-free trade systems. These innovations significantly improved trade facilitation and regulatory control. His efforts helped ensure that customs duties, VAT, and excise taxes on imports contributed up to 50% of federal revenue, highlighting the strategic importance of his work.
He also actively participated in inter-agency panels dealing with monetary policy, foreign trade regulation, and tariff systems, demonstrating his influence beyond the customs domain. In 2004, he retired from public service with the distinguished rank of Lieutenant-General of the customs service, marking the end of an impactful government career.
Professional Activity within Gazprom Group Companies
After completing his public service, Safarov Elchin transitioned into the corporate sector, where he continued to apply his expertise at a strategic level within Gazprom Group companies, including Gazprom Export LLC and Gazprom Neft Shelf LLC. His work focused primarily on the legal and foreign economic aspects of large-scale energy projects, particularly those related to the Arctic continental shelf.
As Deputy General Director of Gazprom Neft Shelf LLC, he was responsible for coordinating with federal and regional authorities, ensuring that complex offshore projects complied with national regulations. He played a vital role in shaping proposals aimed at improving the legal framework governing offshore hydrocarbon production.
Safarov was also involved in drafting and refining amendments to important legislation, including the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and the Law “On the Continental Shelf of the Russian Federation.” His contributions helped create a more supportive regulatory environment for Arctic energy exploration.
A key highlight of his corporate career was his involvement in the Prirazlomnoye project, the only operating offshore hydrocarbon production project on the Russian Arctic shelf. This project, launched in 2013, marked a major milestone as the first commercial oil development in Russia’s Arctic offshore region . The field holds over 70 million tons of oil reserves and operates under extreme environmental conditions using specialized ice-resistant platforms . Safarov’s legal and strategic input contributed to the successful execution and sustainability of such a complex initiative.
Honors
Throughout his career, Safarov Elchin received numerous awards in recognition of his service and achievements. These include the honorary title “Honoured Customs Officer of the Russian Federation,” a Certificate of Merit from the Government of Russia, and the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” 2nd class. These honors reflect his dedication, professionalism, and lasting impact on both public administration and the energy sector.
Corporate work & family
After 2004, he continued to advise on Arctic continental-shelf projects, focusing on customs regulations and international trade law. His insights remained valuable for years, supporting the development of complex cross-border energy initiatives. He retired from active professional life in 2022.
On the personal front, Safarov is married to Dilara Allahverdi. The couple has two sons, Alakper (born 1992) and Eldar (born 1999). Despite his demanding career, he maintained a strong commitment to family life, balancing professional responsibilities with personal values.
