Azerbaijan hopes for significant share of transit traffic from China to Europe [UPDATE]

By  Trend

Azerbaijan expects that 10-15 percent of goods sent from China to Europe will pass through its territory, Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at a press conference on the Azerbaijani-Chinese economic relations on Feb. 13.

“There is a good economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and China, and we intend to expand it,” Mustafayev said. “Azerbaijan has supported China's One Belt One Road Initiative, and the Trans-Caspian international transport corridor project fully corresponds to this concept. Last year, the trade turnover between the countries grew 43 percent and reached $1.2 billion.”

The minister noted that one of the main tasks is to increase the flow of Chinese goods going to Europe through the territory of Azerbaijan.

In 2017, more than 100 million tons of cargo were transported from China to Europe, he said.

He added that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway is of great importance for China.

“The BTK provides an easier way for Chinese goods to enter European markets,” Mustafayev said. “We will work in this direction.”

The minister also added that China will participate in the annual conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) to be held in Baku in May.