BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 22. Azerbaijan should
develop its warehousing and customs infrastructure not only to
strengthen its position as a transit hub but also to create added
value in the transportation of goods to Europe, the head of the
Customs and Logistics Committee at TABA-AmCham, Murat Doğan said,
Trend's special
corrspondent reports.
He made the statement at the Eurasia Investment & Networking
Summit 2026 in Baku on October 22.
According to him, after Russia’s war against Ukraine began,
Türkiye came to be used as a transit hub; however, the potential of
this route bypassing Georgia was subsequently not fully
realized.
“This is not just about turning Azerbaijan into a transit hub,
but about establishing warehouses and customs warehouses here,
increasing the added value of goods, and ensuring their onward
shipment to Europe,” he noted.
Doğan also highlighted the delivery times for cargo along this
corridor. According to him, amid the war with Iran, transporting
cargo via certain sea routes takes about one and a half to two
months, whereas delivery to Europe via this corridor can take 14
days.
He emphasized the importance of improving customs procedures in
Azerbaijan, noting that swift and unimpeded customs clearance is
crucial for the development of logistics.
“In Türkiye, high customs duties and longer clearance procedures
have become factors influencing the choice of freight routes. An
exchange of expertise between Turkish and Azerbaijani specialists
could help identify ways to reduce the time required for customs
procedures,” he said.
