Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr S. Aliyev / In order to increase the transportation of freights via TRACECA transport corridor, particularly via Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan (with the probability of China and Turkey's joining) , primarily the tariffs should be considered. "The countries should introduce a flexible tariff policy, which will enable an increase of freight flow," the national secretary from Azerbaijan in the project of TRACECA transport corridor, Akif Mustafayev , reported on the 11th of June.
Delivering a report on the situation with the CIS at the international economic forum in Saint-Petersburg, the Kazakhstan President, Nursultan Nazarbayev , stated that although Central Asia was rich in energy resources, it had not unimpeded access to European markets. The establishment of alterative transport routes is necessary for this purpose. He noted that the economic factor will play the major role in the definition of the transportation routes.
According to Mustafayev , consideration of those issues has livened up at the level of Transport Ministries of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. Single tariff policy, modernization and reconstruction of infrastructure are also under consideration.
According to transport experts, Russia's possibility to pursue flexible policy in tariffs and discounts enables transportation of more freight through its territory.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey are implementing the project on the opening of railway service via Baku-Tbilisi- Kars route. The implementation will enable freight transportation via the railway to Europe. Putting into exploitation is scheduled for 2009. Implementation of tariff policy will enable profound increase in competitiveness of the project.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan are implementing the project on container train service via Poti-Baku-Aktau route. The project can be presented in 2008 as one of a regional importance. China, which is the major source in container freight in Asia, is displaying an interest in the project.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan are viewing an extension of the route of a demonstration container train by Dostyk station at Kazakhstan-China border.
The container train intended for drawing of freights from China to Europe was launched on the 24th of December. Freights are transported from the Georgian Poti port via Baku to Kazakhstan Aktau port and vice versa.