Official: Azerbaijan accelerates Middle Corridor infrastructure projects

Azerbaijan is accelerating large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the resilience of the Middle Corridor and improving the wider regional transport network, a senior government official said on June 19.

Speaking during a session held within the framework of the Islamic Development Bank’s Annual Meetings in Baku, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rahman Hummatov noted that the Washington Declaration signed in 2025, with the participation of U.S. President Donald Trump, marked an important milestone and was seen as a significant step toward establishing the Zangezur Corridor, an integral part of regional transport routes, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Hummatov noted that the project’s annual transit capacity is projected at 15 million tons, adding that Azerbaijan is simultaneously expanding its core logistics infrastructure.

According to him, work is underway on the second phase of the Baku Port expansion, which is expected to increase cargo handling capacity to 25 million tons annually and 500,000 TEU. He also pointed to the creation of a specialised aviation cluster in the Alat Free Economic Zone, alongside ongoing electrification and modernisation of the national railway network.

The deputy minister further highlighted the construction of new high-capacity highways and railway lines as part of a broader effort to improve transport efficiency and regional integration.

Hummatov said these developments have already contributed to growing international and institutional interest in the Middle Corridor, which is increasingly viewed as a strategic alternative trade route between Asia and Europe.

He added that Azerbaijan values the role of the Islamic Development Bank Group and other multilateral institutions in supporting connectivity projects, noting that their financing tools and expertise are essential for turning large-scale transport initiatives into commercially viable investments.

Hummatov expressed confidence that ongoing discussions with development partners would help identify practical solutions, strengthen cooperation, and advance what he described as a shared vision of a more connected and economically integrated region.

By Sabina Mammadli