Deputy Minister: Work to turn Azerbaijan into a logistics center is underway
By Sara Israfilbayova
Transport is one of the priority directions and works to restore the country’s transport infrastructure and turn the country into a logistics center of the region are underway.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Elmir Valizadeh made the remarks at the a press conference dedicated to the opening of the 17th Caspian International Transport, Transit and Logistics Exhibition and the 8th Caspian International Road Infrastructure and Public Transport Road and Traffic 2018 exhibition.
Valizadeh underlined the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line for the region.
“This route is the shortest land road for the transportation of goods and passengers, which contributes to the development of the economic potential of Azerbaijan. The North-South project covers a large territory. Azerbaijan plays an important role in the project,” he said.
The deputy minister went on to say that the Ministry has developed a special program for passenger and freight traffic, adding that the program reflected various analyzes, including the improvement of the issuance of permits for cargo.
“The program will have a positive impact on passenger and freight traffic. The program, developed by the State Road Transport Service, is a long-term project designed for several years, all of which will contribute to improving the existing infrastructure of the country,” the deputy minister stressed.
Valizadeh added that a purposeful work is being carried out to apply the latest information technologies in the transport sector.
Further, he touched upon the tariffs and noted that changes are not expected for long-distance passenger transportation.
The deputy minister commented on the difference between the ticket price at the box office and the amount that drivers ask.
“If one carrier does this because of his negligence, it's wrong to apply this to all carriers. The problem should be approached individually,” he stressed.
He also said that Azerbaijan’s second telecommunications satellite Azerspace-2 is planned to be launched this year.
The Deputy Minister noted that the satellite could be released this summer, further adding the exact time is not clear.
The 17th Caspian International Transport, Transit and Logistics Exhibition TransCaspian/Translogistica 2018 will be held on June 11-13 at Baku Expo Center. The exhibition is one of the leading transport events in the Caspian region, which demonstrates both innovations and achievements of the industry businesses; its content sets the direction for the future development of the transport sector to a large extent. The exhibition gathers together state transport structures and commercial companies that operate in railway sector, marine industry, aviation, commercial transport and transportation & logistics services.
Companies from many countries, including Azerbaijan, Austria, Greece, Lithuania, Russia, Republic of Belarus, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Ukraine, will present a wide range of products and services in the transport sector (cargo transportation; production of locomotives, passenger cars and freight wagons; rolling stock maintenance; component parts for railway transport; shipbuilding and ship repair; port services; component and spare parts for commercial vehicles; and much more). This year, the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port will take part in the exhibition for the first time.
The exhibition provides the opportunity to meet with managers and experts of transport agencies and to demonstrate development of transport technologies, while getting acquainted with future state infrastructure projects and establishing new sales channels.
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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is
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