Within the framework of the “Action Plan for 2024–2026 on Increasing the Transit Potential of International Transport Corridors Passing Through the Territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Promoting Transit Freight Transportations” and the “State Program for 2025–2030 on Improving the Transport Infrastructure in Baku City and Surrounding Areas,” representatives of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) continue their visits to the regions.

The monitoring group inspected construction, disinfection, disinsection, and deratization services at the Aghband state border checkpoint of the Eastern Zangezur Customs Department in the Zangilan district, as well as the construction and renovation of nearby food safety control points, and the design and construction works of the Horadiz–Aghband railway line.

In addition to CAERC, representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Customs Committee, the State Border Service, “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC, the Food Safety Agency, and the Special Representations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts participated in the visit.

On the following day, monitoring was conducted on the renewal of existing infrastructure and the construction of new customs terminals at the “Bilesuvar” state border checkpoints, the improvement of infrastructure at the “Astara” state border checkpoint and “Astara” railway state border checkpoint, the start of construction works on the Alat–Osmanlı–Astara railway line in the Alat settlement, the construction of a 60 km double-track railway (LOT 1), installation of 531 engineering structures, and construction of 13 stations along the railway line.

The Executive Director of CAERC, Vusal Gasimli, stated that within the framework of the “Action Plan for 2024–2026 on Increasing the Transit Potential of International Transport Corridors Passing Through the Territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Promoting Transit Freight Transportations” and the “State Program for 2025–2030 on Improving the Transport Infrastructure in Baku City and Surrounding Areas,” the planned measures are being implemented on time and successfully. He emphasized that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the large-scale projects being carried out are transforming Azerbaijan into a regional transport and transit hub.

As part of the activities aimed at improving transport and transit infrastructure, the monitoring group also reviewed the construction of a railway line and container terminal at the sorting yard of Bilejeri Station, the construction of four additional railway lines and a container terminal at the sorting area within the Baku International Sea Trade Port (BISTP), the installation of a mobile container crane, terminal tractors, and other equipment at the Heavy Cargo Terminal, and dredging operations to ensure the safe two-way entry and exit of ships in the BISTP access channel.

Furthermore, the team examined the ongoing works to improve infrastructure at border crossing points in the Baku Hovsan International Sea Trade Port to ensure effective border and customs control and the efficient clearance of transit cargo.

In addition to CAERC, the visit was attended by representatives of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, Baku Hovsan International Sea Trade Port, “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Ministry of Economy, the State Customs Committee, the State Border Service, the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), and “Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company” CJSC.