BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. Azerbaijan's
Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has commented on
reforms being implemented under the Middle Corridor, highlighting
faster cargo transportation as one of the key results.


The ministry said shipments along the China-Europe route, which
took 38-53 days several years ago, now take an average of 12
days.


“The reduction in transit times was supported by the
introduction of electronic permit systems, e-TIR and e-CMR digital
solutions, real-time cargo tracking, the simplification of customs
and border procedures, and faster information exchange between
government agencies,” the ministry said.


Azerbaijan has implemented a number of major projects in this
area, including increasing the annual capacity of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to 5 million tons, modernizing border
checkpoints, electrifying and upgrading the railway network,
building and restoring highways, and developing airport
infrastructure.


The ministry said another important step was the creation of the
“Single Window” Information System — a Digital Logistics Platform.
The platform speeds up document processing, simplifies procedures
and creates a more flexible logistics ecosystem for businesses. The
next stage envisages integrating the platform with similar systems
in Middle Corridor partner countries.


The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, together with
international partners, is also working on the phased introduction
of modern digital transport tools such as e-CMR, e-Permit and the
electronic waybill system e-CIM/SMGS.


“Azerbaijan is actively cooperating with Middle Corridor partner
countries to strengthen transport links, optimize border procedures
and expand digital data exchange.







The modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and expansion
of its capacity, the signing of contracts to purchase new modern
passenger and freight cars, stronger coordination among Caspian
ports and joint projects under the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route are aimed at improving the reliability and
competitiveness of the route,” the ministry said.


Azerbaijan is cooperating with all countries along the Middle
Corridor to synchronize the development of transport infrastructure
and improve the efficiency of freight transportation, according to
the ministry.


“To this end, a number of bilateral and multilateral road maps,
agreements and memorandums of understanding have been signed to
coordinate joint infrastructure projects, develop transport links
and improve the efficiency of transportation.


Work is also underway to prepare a multilateral agreement that
will be an important step toward the further development and
institutional strengthening of the Middle Corridor,” the ministry
said.


The Middle Corridor is a transport and trade route connecting
Asia with Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Türkiye. It serves as an alternative to the traditional
Northern and Southern corridors and provides a land-based link
between China and Europe.