Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.1
Trend:
Large transport and logistics operators of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Georgia have agreed on creating consortium for cargo transportation from China to Europe, said the message from Georgian Railway.
The agreement was reached during the presentation of opportunities and prospects for the Trans-Caspian transport route "China-Turkey-Europe" in Istanbul.
"The founders of the consortium will be Chinese Minsheng Logistics, Kazakh KTZ Express, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping, Azerbaijan's Karvan Logistics company and Georgian Trans Caucasus Terminals," said the message.
Reportedly, the Turkish side will be represented in the consortium as an associated member.
Once created, the consortium will enable to speed up and coordinate the work on transporting goods from China to Europe, Akif Mustafayev, national secretary, member of the Governmental Commission on the Development of TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) told Trend.
"Everything that is done in order to attract freight flows through our TRACECA corridor is supported and approved by Azerbaijan," said Mustafayev. "In this regard, it was decided to join the consortium."
He said the member countries of Trans-Caspian transport route will be able to get around $1 billion from cargo transportation in the first years and the profits of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey from the transportation on this route will increase in the future.
The Trans-Caspian international transport route runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, and then - to Europe. The first test container train from China arrived at Baku International Sea Trade Port on this route in early August.
Edited by SI