In 1969, he entered Azerbaijan National Economy Institute named after D. Bunyadzade (now Azerbaijan State Economic University), faculty of Planning of National Economy. In 1973, he graduated with honors from the University.
Academic activity
In 1973–1978, he had completed his PhD at the Azerbaijan National Economy Institute named after D. Bunyadzade. In 1986, he successfully defended the scientific thesis at Scientific Research Institute of Economy in Moscow and obtained a diploma.
Rustamov started his professional life at the Scientific Research Institute of Economy under USSR State Planning Committee as an economist immediately. After six months he joined military service in Smolensk city and completed it in 1975.
In 1978–80, he worked at Baku Fine Broadcloth Union of Azerbaijan SSR Ministry of Light Industry as a head of the department of Economy. After 2 years he returned to his first work place (Scientific Research Institute of Economy under USSR State Planning Committee) and worked there until 1990.
Rustamov joined the Central Bank of Azerbaijan in December 1992. In 1993–1994, he worked at the Agrarian – Industrial Union Joint Stock Bank as Deputy Chairman of the Management Board. In 1994, he was appointed to the First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Azerbaijan Central Bank. In 1995, he was nominated to the governorship by the Order of the Azerbaijan President - Heydar Aliyev. In 2000, 2005 and 2010,[3] he was reappointed the second, third and fourth time.