Zangezur Corridor could boost Azerbaijan freight capacity by 50 million tons, official says

The creation of the Zangezur Corridor and broader transport infrastructure development could significantly boost Azerbaijan’s logistics capacity, increasing freight traffic by around 50 million tons annually, according to Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, speaking at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

Hajiyev said transport initiatives are central to the economic transformation of the liberated territories in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions. He emphasised that the planned infrastructure expansion is expected to reshape regional connectivity and strengthen Azerbaijan’s role as a transit hub between East and West as well as North and South corridors, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

“The implementation of the Zangezur Corridor will create a ring railway network in the region and increase Azerbaijan's annual freight capacity by approximately 50 million tons," he said.

Alongside transport projects, Hajiyev highlighted the ongoing development of a large-scale renewable energy base in the region. He noted that Jabrayil is seeing major investment in solar and hydropower capacity, including a 240 MW solar power plant under construction and another 100 MW solar project. In addition, five hydroelectric power stations with a combined capacity of about 45 MW are already operational.

He also pointed to efforts to expand rooftop solar installations, reflecting the region’s strong solar potential and growing focus on distributed energy systems.

“We are installing solar panels on rooftops, given the region's high solar potential," he noted.

According to Hajiyev, the expansion of energy infrastructure is designed not only to meet domestic demand but also to create future export opportunities.

He further underlined the role of Jabrayil’s industrial park, which currently hosts 19 registered residents, as part of efforts to attract investment and diversify the local economy. Broader regional restoration, he said, is also advancing across agriculture, logistics, tourism, and mining.

Hajiyev additionally stressed the strategic importance of major international transport corridors, including East-West and North-South routes, as well as key infrastructure projects such as the Horadiz–Aghband highway, the railway line, and a bridge over the Araz River, all of which he said would enhance regional integration.

He added that the international airport in Zangilan is already improving logistics connectivity and increasing investor interest in the area.

By Sabina Mammadli