Azernews.Az

A strategic highway along Azerbaijan's east-west corridor - the old Silk Road – will be built under a $2.6 billion "stimulus package" for small- to medium-sized American companies, according to President Ilham Aliyev’s decision to invite US companies to construct 21st century highways in the country, according to The Washington Times.
The article by Rob Sobhani, President of Caspian Energy Consulting, posted on the newspaper’s website, says the decision will help create American jobs and lead to the purchase of U.S.-made goods and services. "Mr. Aliyev decided to import American know-how, technology and raw materials to ensure that these highways are world-class."
A Virginia-based company will lead the efforts to build this highway with American know-how, technology and goods that will also be a green road - where for the first time a section will be dedicated to the use of nanotechnology to capture carbon emissions. Deadlines or other details of the project are not indicated.
The story noted that, today, Azerbaijan "is a vibrant, independent state, raising itself from the ashes of the totalitarian Soviet system to make the arduous transition to democracy." It is also an American friend and strong ally in a region of strategic importance to the United States, it said.
Sobhani writes further that Azerbaijan's partnership with America is not limited to building world-class highways.
"The uninterrupted exploration, development and transportation of Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves to international markets is a goal shared by both Baku and Washington. For example, Azerbaijan is now the lynchpin of Washington's efforts to diversify Europe's gas imports away from Russia. Unlike some of its neighbors, Azerbaijan's economic and political stability as well as its responsible leadership make it a favorite anchor for the strategic Nabucco pipeline: delivering natural gas to Europe from Azerbaijan's vast natural gas reserves."
Beyond infrastructure and energy ties, Washington looks to Azerbaijan to support American efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and Kosovo.
Also, American consumers worried about stable returns on their investments can also find a reliable partner in Azerbaijan's banking sector, the article said.
Sobhani notes that "from the red tape of Soviet communism to the red carpet of capitalism, Azerbaijan has made the transition to becoming a reliable friend of the United States."
"In recognition of this remarkable transition, President Obama would be well served by inviting the leader of this transition, Ilham Aliyev, to Washington in order to broaden the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States."*