Baku: In an exclusive interview with AZERTAC, Muhammad Ali Pasha, Chairman of The Gulf Observer Research Forum, discussed the implications of the newly amended socio-economic development programme for the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027. He highlighted the potential impact of the Zangezur corridor on Azerbaijan and the surrounding region.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the amendment signals a shift in how Nakhchivan is perceived, from a geographical enigma to a strategic asset. Historically, Nakhchivan, with its 460,000 residents, has been isolated from mainland Azerbaijan due to Armenian territory, accessible only via Iran or Turkey. The socio-economic programme relies heavily on the anticipated completion of the Zangezur corridor, which aims to connect Nakhchivan with Azerbaijan through Armenia's Syunik province.
The revised plan focuses on enhancing logistical support, offering tax and freight incentives, and expanding entrepreneurship opportunities to fully leverage the corridor once operational. The physical infrastructure is advancing, with Azerbaijan nearing completion of the Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband highway and rail lines. However, the Armenian section remains a bottleneck, with construction yet to commence.
Pasha emphasized the importance of local production to maximize the corridor's potential. He noted that successful transport corridors rely on a steady flow of local goods, reducing dependency on external cargo flows. This strategy could bolster Nakhchivan's economic significance by facilitating trade with both Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Turkey's geographical and economic ties with Nakhchivan further strengthen the corridor's potential. With existing investments and an 11-kilometre border, Turkey could play a crucial role in transforming Nakhchivan into a trade and industrial hub, potentially leading to a preferential trade area akin to China's Belt and Road zones.
While the timeline for the corridor's completion remains uncertain, contingent on cooperation from Armenia and Russia, the revised programme ensures Nakhchivan's readiness to capitalize on the corridor's benefits once operational.