BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10. Expanding
economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, increasing
mutual investment, developing agricultural processing and export
potential, and improving transport links along the Middle Corridor
and the Zangezur route are among the key areas for advancing
bilateral economic ties, Chairman of the Board of the
Azerbaijan-Türkiye Business Association (ATIB) Mursal Rustamov told
Trend in an
interview.


He said economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye was
one of the most important pillars of their strategic alliance.
Political trust, mutual support and close business ties between the
two countries provide a solid foundation for further expanding
economic relations.


According to Rustamov, the main objective at this stage is not
only to increase trade turnover but also to diversify economic
cooperation, boost mutual investment and develop joint production
in sectors that generate higher added value.


“I believe that at the next stage, we should also focus on
technology transfer. Azerbaijan can serve as a regional production
and export platform for Turkish companies, while Türkiye can
provide Azerbaijani companies with access to a broad industrial
base, technology and international market experience,” he said.


The ATIB chairman noted that, during meetings with Turkish
businesspeople, the association emphasizes the importance of
viewing Azerbaijan not merely as a market for finished products or
raw materials, but also as a platform for exporting locally
manufactured goods to wider regional markets.


He said the potential to access the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) market, with a population of around 300 million,
through products manufactured in Azerbaijan also creates additional
opportunities for Turkish companies.


Rustamov said one of ATIB's main tasks was to turn this
potential into tangible business cooperation.


“Among the priorities for 2026 is expanding sector-specific
business-to-business (B2B) meetings and cooperation platforms
between Turkish entrepreneurs and local businesses. The third
edition of the Agricultural Business Forum, held this year, is also
particularly important for establishing new partnerships in
agriculture and learning and applying modern practices,” he
said.


Azerbaijani and Turkish companies join forces to enter
third-country markets


The ATIB chairman said Azerbaijani and Turkish companies could
strengthen their competitive positions in third-country markets by
combining their financial resources, production capacity,
technological expertise and international networks.


“By pooling their financial resources, production capacity,
technological expertise and international networks, Azerbaijani and
Turkish companies can secure stronger competitive positions in
Central Asia, the Middle East and other promising markets,” he
said.


According to Rustamov, ATIB's activities in this area are still
at an early stage.


“Nevertheless, several members of the association have already
begun implementing projects in Central Asian countries. Further
expansion of partnerships among members could help scale up these
projects and strengthen joint operations in new markets,” he
said.


Agriculture needs to focus on creating added
value


Rustamov emphasized the significant potential of agriculture for
expanding economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.


According to him, Azerbaijan's favorable climate, diverse
crop-growing opportunities and export potential create an
attractive investment environment for Turkish companies.







“Türkiye, in turn, has extensive experience in agricultural
technologies, greenhouse farming, irrigation systems, seed
production, livestock farming and food processing. Combining these
strengths can help increase productivity and improve the
competitiveness of local production,” the ATIB chairman said.


He noted that key priorities included introducing modern
irrigation technologies, developing digital agriculture solutions,
improving product storage and sorting, establishing cold-storage
facilities, and expanding packaging and processing operations.


In Rustamov's view, one of the main objectives in agriculture
should be to accelerate the shift from exporting raw materials to
producing goods with higher added value.


“Exporting fruit and vegetables not only as fresh produce but
also in dried, frozen, canned and other processed forms can create
broader economic opportunities,” he said.


The ATIB chairman added that the association supports the
exchange of technological and management expertise among
agricultural companies, helps connect potential investors with
local producers, and promotes investment opportunities.


Middle Corridor and Zangezur route open up new
opportunities


Rustamov said transport and logistics were strategic sectors
with a direct impact on the development of economic cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.


According to him, Azerbaijan's geographical position linking
East and West, Türkiye's extensive transport and industrial
infrastructure, and growing international interest in the Middle
Corridor are creating new economic opportunities for both
countries.


The ATIB chairman noted that developing the Middle Corridor and
establishing transport links along the Zangezur route could help
expand regional trade, improve transport efficiency and create new
production and supply chains.


“Making full use of these routes could strengthen Azerbaijan's
transit capabilities while enabling closer economic integration
with Türkiye and developing ties with Central Asian markets,” he
said.


Rustamov believes that transport connectivity should go beyond
building physical infrastructure, with digitalization and
integrated data exchange systems also remaining a priority.


Addressing investment needs, the ATIB chairman stressed the
importance of developing cold-chain infrastructure for transporting
agricultural and food products to expand export opportunities.


He also highlighted the need to improve coordination between
ports and railway infrastructure. Investment requirements in these
areas, he said, should be determined based on cargo flow forecasts
and the economic feasibility of specific projects.


“Turkish companies can be important partners in logistics center
management, warehouse technologies, digital cargo tracking systems,
transport services and logistics infrastructure development. There
are also opportunities for Azerbaijani and Turkish companies to
establish joint logistics operators and coordinate regional freight
services,” the ATIB chairman added.


Rustamov concluded that ATIB would continue working to
strengthen ties between the business communities of Azerbaijan and
Türkiye, promote mutually beneficial initiatives and turn new
cooperation opportunities into practical results.