BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 1. Trade along the
Middle Corridor could triple and transit times could be cut in half
by 2030, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said at
the CAMCA Regional Forum in Baku on Thursday, Trend's correspondent reports
from the event.


Jabbarov said a major stage in Azerbaijan's modern economic
history began with the signing of the "Contract of the
Century."


“The forms of energy consumed are changing, but oil played the
main role initially, followed by gas. Today, we are talking about a
green energy corridor for the same customers and the same markets.
The difference is that this time we are cooperating more closely
with our neighbors and our region, particularly the countries east
of the Caspian Sea. Our partners in the west of Azerbaijan continue
to participate in and support this process,” he said.


According to the minister, Azerbaijan's lack of direct access to
the sea has prompted the country to pay particular attention to
connectivity.


“On the one hand, Azerbaijan is a landlocked country, but on the
other hand, this characteristic has created a certain natural
selection. This choice has been to attach great importance to
connectivity to reduce our geographical vulnerability and not shy
away from investments in this area,” Jabbarov said.


He noted that the development of the Port of Alat, the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Azerbaijan's shipbuilding facility, as
well as investments in ports and relevant terminals outside the
country, are part of this policy.


“Energy infrastructure, pipelines and fiber-optic connections
serve the same function and, in our view, have even greater
potential. According to the World Bank's 2023 assessment, if the
necessary investments are made and efficiency measures are
implemented, it is possible to triple trade along the Middle
Corridor and halve transit times by 2030, provided connectivity
efforts continue,” he emphasized.


Jabbarov said Central Asia has remained Azerbaijan's most
dynamically developing region of trading partners over the past
five years.


According to him, the establishment of peace in the region is
adding a new dimension to connectivity opportunities.


“The agreements reached in Washington in August 2025 opened a
new chapter for the South Caucasus as well. The Zangezur Corridor,
or the TRIPP route, will connect mainland Azerbaijan with
Nakhchivan and become another link in the Middle Corridor,”
Jabbarov said.


He noted that Central Asian countries are also interested in
expanding these additional opportunities.


“We see how peace turns connectivity from an aspiration into a
real project that can be financed. The ambassador has already
spoken about both the TRIPP initiative and the Trans-Caspian
Enterprise Fund,” the minister added.







Jabbarov emphasized that modern corridors are not limited to
cargo transportation.


“We believe that modern corridors are a broader concept than
cargo transportation. In the energy sector, the Southern Gas
Corridor is already operational. The next stage is electricity. The
Black Sea submarine electricity cable, recognized by the European
Union as a Project of Common Interest, and the Caspian Green Energy
Corridor involving Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Georgia
are important projects in this area,” he said.


The minister noted that the relevant agreement on establishing
the Caspian Green Energy Corridor was signed by the presidents of
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on the sidelines of
COP29.


He also described digital connectivity as an important area of
regional cooperation.


“The Trans-Caspian fiber-optic line between Azerbaijan and
Kazakhstan is expected to become operational in less than a month.
This line will create a new high-capacity connection between Europe
and Asia,” Jabbarov emphasized.


According to the minister, the prospect of a common future is
particularly clear in relations between the South Caucasus and
Central Asia.


“We have been part of this regional architecture for many years.
As I mentioned, the political dimension deepened further in
November 2025 in Tashkent. Azerbaijan became a full-fledged
participant in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of
Central Asia, becoming the first country from outside Central Asia
to do so,” he said.


Jabbarov said that several days earlier, the trade and
investment ministers of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan
had met for the first time in this format.


“Our goal is to bring the volume of regional trade to $20
billion and establish joint production under the ‘Made in Central
Asia’ brand,” the minister said.


He noted that Azerbaijan has established joint investment funds
with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the economic and
financial sectors.


“These funds bring several mid-sized markets together into a
single investment portfolio. Azerbaijan's share in each of these
funds is at least 50 percent. Thus, Azerbaijan and Central Asia,
together with Türkiye and subsequently with Europe on one side and
Asia on the other, are forming a unified economic space,” Jabbarov
added.