BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 1. The EBRD sees
potential for investment in railway infrastructure and logistics
services in Turkmenistan along the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor.
EBRD Head of Turkmenistan Eric Livny said this in an exclusive
interview with Trend, answering a
question about specific transport and logistics infrastructure
projects in Turkmenistan that the bank currently sees as having
potential for financing.
"Transport connectivity was one of the key themes of Odile
Renaud-Basso visit and of her discussions with the Turkmen
authorities, including His Excellency President Serdar
Berdimuhamedow," he said.
According to Livny, Turkmenistan occupies a strategic position
in the Caspian region, connecting Asia and Europe. He added that
the country has significant potential to strengthen its role as an
important transit link along the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor.
"At this stage, discussions are focused primarily on railway
infrastructure and logistics services," Livny noted.
He said the memorandum signed with the transport authorities
provides a framework for exploring opportunities to modernise
sections of the national railway network, improve freight handling
capacity and enhance the efficiency of logistics operations.
The EBRD also sees potential beyond physical infrastructure,
with customs procedures, border management and other trade
facilitation measures identified as areas that can affect transport
efficiency.
"Experience across the region shows that customs procedures,
border management and other trade-facilitation measures often have
as much impact on transport efficiency as investments in tracks,
terminals and rolling stock," Livny said.
"For this reason, our cooperation will also examine
opportunities to improve the "soft" infrastructure that determines
how efficiently goods move across borders," he added.
Livny stressed that it is still too early to identify individual
projects under the potential cooperation.
"It is still too early to identify individual projects, but we
see considerable potential for investments that can strengthen
regional connectivity, reduce transit times and improve the
competitiveness of the Transcaspian Corridor," he said.
For reference, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) has been working with Turkmenistan since 1992.
Its engagement has focused on private-sector development,
cooperation with financial institutions and support for private
companies through financing and advisory services. The bank has
also identified sectors such as transport, logistics, agribusiness,
industry and commerce as areas with potential for further
private-sector investment.
According to the EBRD, the bank has financed 87 projects in
Turkmenistan, with cumulative investment reaching €322 million.
In July 2026, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso visited
Turkmenistan, during which the sides signed five memorandums of
understanding covering strategic cooperation for 2027-2032, the
banking sector, sustainable energy, environmental protection and
water resources, transport corridors, and Ashgabat’s participation
in the EBRD Green Cities programme. The documents are intended to
provide a framework for further cooperation.
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route (TMTM), is a multimodal transport
route connecting China, the countries of Central Asia, the South
Caucasus, Turkey, and Europe via rail, sea, and road transport.
According to data from Azerbaijan’s Transit Coordination Council,
the route is approximately 8,000-10,000 km long, and cargo delivery
along it takes 12 to 18 days, whereas transport via the Suez Canal
takes 30 to 45 days.
