Details added (15:40)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
In 2017, cargo transportation through the territory of Azerbaijan grew by 16 percent, Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at a press conference on the Azerbaijani-Chinese economic relations on Feb.13.
The minister said that overall 10.4 million tons of cargo were transported last year, and truck transportation grew by 14 percent.
"There is a great transit potential in Azerbaijan, and a lot of work has been done to implement it. This direction is one of the priorities in the country's economic development strategy. Large infrastructure projects are implemented in Azerbaijan. Our corridor [East-West] has a number of advantages, including political stability, favorable geographic location. Its [corridor] length is 4,500 kilometers, which allows to deliver goods from China to Europe in 14 days, "Mustafayev said.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and then through Turkey and Ukraine to Europe. New competitive tariffs were introduced for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route since June 1, 2016. Management and development of the route is carried out by a consortium created by the participating countries, inclduing China - "China Railways", Kazakhstan - KTZ Express, in the Caspian - "Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company", Azerbaijan - ADY Express and Georgia - Trans Caucasus Terminals.