Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, speaking at the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Budapest, announced that the country’s ninth airport would soon become operational, signaling a new era in regional logistics.
Major Infrastructure Leap: Azerbaijan Becomes Eurasia’s New Logistics Hub
In his speech, Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s massive investments in transport infrastructure, emphasizing the substantial resources allocated to roadways, railways, air travel, seaports, and shipyards. Despite lacking direct access to open seas, Azerbaijan has emerged as one of Eurasia’s most important logistics centers.
“As of 2024, the volume of transit cargo transported via Azerbaijan by Turkic states has reached 11 million tonnes.” – Ilham Aliyev
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway: A Growing Strategic Corridor
Aliyev announced that the transport capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line, the backbone of the Middle Corridor, has been increased from 1 million to 5 million tonnes thanks to Azerbaijani investments. This expansion is expected to enhance trade among Turkic states and strengthen the Europe-Asia connection.
Shipbuilding Expansion: 10 New Vessels Under Construction
President Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan is taking strategic steps to increase its maritime transport capacity, revealing that 10 new vessels are currently under construction at the Baku Shipbuilding Yard. These investments aim to reinforce transportation and trade networks across the Caspian Sea.
$20 Billion in Economic Cooperation with Turkic States
Addressing economic collaboration, Aliyev highlighted that more than $20 billion has been invested in member states of the Organization of Turkic States. He also announced that the Turkic Investment Fund would become operational in 2024, further strengthening the financial foundation of regional cooperation.
Digital Transformation of the Middle Corridor
Aliyev emphasized the importance of digitalizing the Middle Corridor and outlined efforts to enhance regional integration in this domain. The development of digital infrastructure will enable faster and more transparent transits, boosting the corridor’s competitiveness.
A Rising Regional Power: Azerbaijan
Aliyev’s remarks reflect Azerbaijan’s rapidly advancing vision of becoming a geostrategic logistics center in Eurasia. With the opening of a new airport, expanded railway networks, shipyard investments, and digital integration efforts, Azerbaijan is poised to become the backbone of regional trade.
