First Freight Train from Azerbaijan Arrives in Turkey via Upgraded BTK Railway
The inaugural freight train from Azerbaijan reached Turkey early on May 25, marking a significant milestone in regional connectivity via the recently upgraded Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line. The train, laden with 632 tons of plastic raw materials in 20 containers, completed its journey from Baku to Kars.
Departing Baku on May 20, the train arrived at Kars station at 04:50 local time. Following the necessary customs procedures, the cargo was transported to the Kars logistics center.
The modernization and expansion of the 184-kilometer Georgian section of the BTK railway began on May 16, 2023, and concluded on May 20, 2024. These enhancements aim to solidify the railway's status as a key transport artery in the region, boosting its annual capacity to 5 million tons. This expansion is anticipated to greatly enhance the efficiency of cargo deliveries from China and Central Asian countries to Europe through Azerbaijan.
The volume of transit cargo on this route has surged, more than doubling in recent years to reach 6.8 million tons in 2023. This increase underscores the BTK railway's growing importance as a vital transport corridor across Eurasia.
In a strategic move to further improve railway operations and attract additional cargo, Azerbaijan and Georgia have established a joint venture to manage the BTK. This partnership is expected to enhance transportation efficiency and draw more freight traffic to this critical route.
Economics
-
But Putin Says It's "Virtually Impossible" Due to Zelensky's Position Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Moscow on Sunday to discuss energy issues, becoming the third EU country leader to hold talks with Vladimir Putin since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Prior visits include Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in April 2022 and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in July 2024. Slovakia is also a NATO member.
-
Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles have emerged as a transformative force in modern business practices, reshaping priorities across industries. This was a key theme highlighted by Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), at the conference "Labor Relations, Occupational Safety, and Human Resources as Key ESG Approaches," held on Monday in Baku.
-
A detailed review of legislative norms and e-government services across various business environment domains has been prepared and published by the working group of the Business Environment and International Ratings Commission, focusing on electricity network connections.
-
The draft law "On Amendments to the Tax Code," adopted in its third reading, provides for tax exemptions on the sale of locally manufactured buses in Azerbaijan and the supply of spare parts for these vehicles. This was reported by the Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy, explaining that the government's initiative aims to support business development in the country by reducing the tax burden. The exemption will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will remain valid for eight years.
Leave a review