Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has commented on the reforms being implemented within the Middle Corridor. According to the ministry, one of the key results of these reforms has been the acceleration of cargo transportation.
It is noted that while a few years ago transportation along the China-Europe route took 38-53 days, this period has now been reduced to an average of 12 days.
"The reduction in transit times was facilitated by the introduction of electronic permit systems, digital solutions such as e-TIR and e-CMR, real-time cargo tracking, simplification of customs and border procedures, as well as accelerated information exchange between government agencies.
In Azerbaijan, a number of major projects have been implemented in this direction, including increasing the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to 5 million tons per year, modernizing border crossing points, electrifying and upgrading the railway network, constructing and restoring highways, and developing airport infrastructure.
One of the important steps was the creation by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the 'Single Window' Information System - a Digital Logistics Platform. The platform accelerates document flow, simplifies procedures, and forms a more flexible logistics ecosystem for businesses. The next stage envisages integration of the platform with similar systems of partner countries along the Middle Corridor," the ministry said.
It is emphasized that in parallel, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, together with international partners, is working on the phased introduction of modern digital transport tools such as e-CMR, e-Permit, and the e-CIM/SMGS electronic consignment note system.
"Azerbaijan is actively cooperating with partner countries along the Middle Corridor to strengthen transport links, optimize border procedures, and expand digital data exchange.
The modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line and the increase in its capacity, the signing of contracts for the acquisition of new modern passenger and freight cars, the strengthening of coordination between Caspian ports, and joint projects within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route are aimed at increasing the reliability and competitiveness of the route," the ministry reports.
It is noted that Azerbaijan cooperates with all countries along the Middle Corridor to synchronize the development of transport infrastructure and improve the efficiency of transportation along the route.
"To this end, a number of bilateral and multilateral roadmaps, agreements, and memorandums of understanding have been signed aimed at coordinating joint infrastructure projects, developing transport links, and improving transportation efficiency.
Currently, work is also underway on the preparation of a multilateral agreement that will be an important step in the further development and institutional strengthening of the Middle Corridor," the ministry said.
