Full use of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, could bring an additional $1.3 billion to Azerbaijan’s economy, according to a new World Bank report.
The bank estimates that if the corridor operates at full capacity, Azerbaijan’s GDP could rise by a further 1.84%, while employment could increase by 1.5%. The report links the gains to higher income from transit cargo, development of port and rail infrastructure, and broader trade with Central Asia and Europe.
The World Bank also says infrastructure upgrades alone will not be enough. It argues that customs procedures need to be accelerated, logistics systems digitized, and transport-sector reforms continued.
Over the longer term, development of the Middle Corridor could raise the combined GDP of the participating countries by about $58 billion, or 3.3%, the report says.
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, connects China and Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus. At present, the route bypasses Armenia and runs through China-Kazakhstan-Caspian Sea-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye-Europe.
