Implementing Kars-Igdir-Nakhchivan railway project to raise Azerbaijan’s export potential
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28
By Jeyhun Alakbarov - Trend:
The implementation of the Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu-Sadarak-Nakhchivan railway project will increase export potential of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and make it an important transit center of the region, Director of Nakhchivan Railways LLC Mahir Aliyev told Trend Feb. 28.
Aliyev said that the railway will connect Nakhchivan with China, European countries and with the Persian Gulf countries.
“The project will significantly enhance the export potential of Nakhchivan, provide convenient and direct access for the Azerbaijani products to the markets of post-Soviet, European and Asian countries,” the director noted.
The company’s director added that in the Soviet times, rock salt, mineral water, canned food and agricultural products, as well as light industry products, were transported from Nakhchivan by rail. Although about 1,000 types of products are manufactured in the autonomous republic, there are certain problems with their entering international markets, said Aliyev.
“There is a great demand for the mentioned products, as well as for stone, travertine, cement and other products manufactured in Nakhchivan,” the director noted. “The implementation of the Kars-Igdir-Nakhchivan railway project will contribute to significant revenues to the budget of the autonomous republic. The project will also contribute to the development of such important areas like mining, metallurgy and mechanical engineering.”
Aliyev reminded that the railways in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are in working condition.
“The project also envisages improving the railways of the autonomous republic, introduction of new systems, as well as building various infrastructure facilities,” the director added. “This will bring the transportation of goods and passengers to a modern level. The growth of transit potential will also return the former glory to the Ordubad silkworm breeding, which it had during the Soviet times. On the other hand, the project will have a very positive effect on the development of tourism in Nakhchivan as well.”
