Baku: In the context of the development of international trade and logistics chains, Azerbaijan is occupying an increasingly prominent place in the architecture of global transport routes, Andrew Bouffard, Vice President of the Canadian consulting company CPCS, international transport, logistics, and infrastructure planning specialist, told AZERTAC.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Bouffard emphasized the strategic importance of Azerbaijan in shaping sustainable Eurasian corridors. He highlighted that Azerbaijan plays a key role in the development of the Middle Corridor, owing to its advantageous geographical position and well-developed transport infrastructure. The country's Caspian Sea ports, along with its railway and road networks, are particularly significant in ensuring connectivity between Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.
The expert noted that Azerbaijan has become an important component of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route in recent years. This development is supported by several international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Bouffard pointed out that the involvement of such organizations underscores the high level of confidence in the region's transit potential and its long-term prospects.
Bouffard also discussed the geo-economic context, stating that amid ongoing changes in global logistics, countries are increasingly diversifying transport routes. In this scenario, the Middle Corridor is gaining relevance as a resilient alternative, opening new opportunities for regional cooperation. He remarked that Azerbaijan is a key link in this route, ensuring continuity and functional connectivity within the logistics chain spanning China, Central Asia, Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, and Europe.
According to the expert, the Middle Corridor is expected to demonstrate steady growth in the coming years. Its importance is projected to increase progressively over a 5-, 10-, and 20-year horizon, especially with the rising demand for more resilient and diversified transport routes. Bouffard emphasized the necessity of strengthening regional cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Central Asian states, stating that further development of the corridor is contingent upon coordinated action among all participants and the formation of a more integrated transport system.
In conclusion, Bouffard highlighted Azerbaijan's strong potential in transit infrastructure, including the Alat Port, the modernization of the railway network, and the development of multimodal logistics centers. He stated that aligning the pace of infrastructure development with growing demand would significantly bolster the country's position in regional and international logistics, while also creating new opportunities for business and investors.