Baku, Azerbaijan, April 6
By Ilkin Shafiyev – Trend:
All countries participating in the International North-South Transport Corridor project are interested in its implementation, Eduard Alyrzaev, first deputy CEO of Russian Railways Logistics, told Trend April 6.
“At a recent meeting of the Russia-Iran working group on transport, Russian Deputy Minister of Transport Alan Lushnikov confirmed that the North-South project is a priority for Russia,” Alyrzaev said. “Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich also stressed the importance of the project at a meeting of the board of the Ministry of Transport. The same statements can be also heard from high-ranking officials of Azerbaijan, Iran and India.”
Alyrzaev noted that the project will contribute to the economic development of the countries participating in it.
“Obvious benefits include transit payments,” he said. “In Russia, for example, transit revenues are expected at 48-49 billion rubles this year. In addition, the project will promote the growth of trade turnover in the region, the development of business ties, trade, industry and production.”
The North-South transport corridor is designed to connect northern Europe with India and Southeast Asia. The route will also connect the railways of Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.
At an initial stage, six million tons of cargo are planned to be transported through the corridor per year and 15-20 million tons of cargo in future.