Baku, Minsk deepen ties with new industrial, logistics projects

Azerbaijan and Belarus see significant potential for expanding cooperation in transport, logistics, and industrial development, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov said during a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin.

Sharifov highlighted the growing role of both countries in regional connectivity, noting a sharp increase in transit flows, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

"From January to April of this year, the volume of transit transportation increased by more than 63%, which confirms the growing role of our countries in developing regional connectivity and international routes," he said.

The deputy prime minister also emphasized the expansion of bilateral business ties, pointing to the growing presence of Belarusian companies in Azerbaijan and increasing industrial cooperation between the two countries.

"I would like to note with satisfaction that Belarusian businesses have registered around 135 companies in Azerbaijan, of which nearly 90 are actively operating," Sharifov said.

He added that Azerbaijani companies are also working closely with Belarusian industrial partners, particularly in machinery production.

"As is known, the Ganja Automobile Plant, within the framework of industrial cooperation with the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) and the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), has organized the assembly of tractors, trucks, and other municipal and special-purpose equipment in Azerbaijan and is steadily expanding cooperation in this area. The share of Belarusian tractors assembled at the Ganja Automobile Plant has reached 80% of the country's tractor fleet," he said.

Sharifov also noted that new agreements have been reached for the assembly of 121 units of municipal and fire-fighting equipment based on MAZ vehicles.

The deputy prime minister said cooperation is now expanding into additional sectors, including household appliances, pharmaceuticals, veterinary products, and agriculture.

"Active efforts are underway to identify new areas of industrial cooperation, including the organization of household appliance assembly in Azerbaijan, as well as the production of pharmaceutical and veterinary products based on Belarusian technologies and experience," he said.

He further stressed the importance of joint projects in fertilizers and agro-industry.

"Of particular importance are projects for the production of mineral fertilizers in Azerbaijan using Belarusian components and the creation of an integrated agro-complex for producing 20,000 tons of chicken meat annually," Sharifov added.

Sharifov also noted that Belarus is completing design work for the village of Gizil Kangarli in the Aghdam district, underscoring the expanding scope of cooperation into reconstruction and regional development projects.

By Vafa Guliyeva