BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 13. The
Ardabil-Parsabad railway in northwestern Iran’s Ardabil Province is
poised to strengthen rail links and supercharge cargo transport
between the province and Azerbaijan, the governor of the province,
Masoud Emami-Yeganeh, said in an interview with Trend.
Emami-Yeganeh emphasized that the second segment of the
Ardabil-Mianeh railway route, which links to the Ardabil-Parsabad
section, holds significant potential to enhance bilateral freight
traffic between the two countries.
He further revealed that a portion of the feasibility study for
the approximately 270-kilometer Ardabil-Parsabad railway has
already been completed.
''Discussions are ongoing with Iran’s Planning and Budget
Organization (PBO) to secure the necessary technical license for
construction,'' he added.
The governor also highlighted the planned establishment of a
railway terminal in Parsabad County, specifically in the village of
Tazeh Kand, which lies opposite Azerbaijan’s Imishli district. This
terminal would foster closer coordination between the two nations.
Additionally, prior agreements between Iran and Azerbaijan provide
a solid foundation for the development of this corridor, which
could offer enhanced access from Ardabil province to the South
Caucasus, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Eastern European
markets.
The official noted that the construction of this railway line is
expected to be less challenging than the Mianeh-Ardabil segment, as
the latter traverses predominantly mountainous terrain. The railway
is scheduled for completion and operational use by the end of the
current Iranian year, March 20, 2026.
According to him, the current Iranian government (in power since
August 2024) and President Masoud Pezezkian prioritize expanding
cross-border relations in border provinces with neighboring
countries. With a shared 370 km border, Ardabil is well-positioned
to benefit from border diplomacy.
The governor outlined broader economic prospects for Ardabil
province, including trade, industry, and investment.
“The Ardabil Free Trade and Industrial Zone, recently
inaugurated, can serve as a hub for joint trade and industrial
projects with Azerbaijan. Investors from various sectors, including
agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing, are being invited
to explore opportunities in Ardabil. This zone offers a promising
platform for a joint trade and industrial initiative between the
two nations, and talks are already underway to develop this
opportunity into a concrete collaboration,” he said.
Emami-Yeganeh highlighted that Ardabil and other northwestern
provinces of Iran maintain deep economic ties with Azerbaijan, and
the province is actively working to expand its trade volume.
Business leaders and investors across multiple sectors, including
investment, have been invited to explore opportunities in the
region.
''Ardabil province, home to Iran's largest agricultural park,
presents substantial opportunities for trade and investment. The
region's extensive network of greenhouses plays a pivotal role in
the production of agricultural goods, while its advanced processing
facilities offer strong export potential, particularly to countries
within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The province's diverse
climate further enhances its attractiveness, positioning tourism as
a growing sector, with numerous hotel projects underway and
increasing interest from investors.
In addition to agriculture and tourism, Ardabil boasts promising
opportunities in various industries, including construction,
cement, tire production, polyethylene pipes, textiles, electronics,
automotive parts, and mining. These sectors offer abundant avenues
for Azerbaijani investors to engage in Ardabil’s economy, as well
as for Iranian investors to expand their footprint in Azerbaijan,
fostering a mutually beneficial trade environment that encourages
the flow of products in both directions,'' Emami-Yeganeh
stressed.
The governor further emphasized that boosting product exports is
a top priority for the province, with ambitious plans to at least
double current export volumes. This presents a significant
opportunity for Ardabil to strengthen its economic ties with
Azerbaijan across multiple sectors, including agriculture,
industry, mining, and tourism, an initiative that enjoys strong
support from both provincial authorities and the Iranian
government.
During the first eight months of 2025 (from March 21 through
November 21, 2025), Ardabil exported products worth $270 million to
Azerbaijan through its customs checkpoint. Expanding collaboration
remains central to this goal, the governor noted, stressing the
importance of sustaining strong ties between specialists on both
sides to ensure long-term growth.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News
Agency's WhatsApp channel
