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Azerbaijan hosts international forum on development of railways

12 October 2010 10:01 (UTC +04:00)

Deputy PM Abid Sharifov spoke about the development of international transport corridor of the government and Azerbaijanâ€™s role in East-West and South-North projects.

Speaking about TRACECA corridor Abid Sharifov noted that the transportations have risen by 8 times in 2009 compared with 1998: â€œ15 mln tons of cargo will be transported via Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project at initial stage. The road is planned to be launched in 2012-2013.â€

He also noted that totally, Azerbaijan borrowed $2 bln in past 4 years for transport sphere. State budget allocated $ 5 bln to develop this sphere. About the construction of roads he stressed mainly 3 directions â€“ Russia, Georgia and Iran. According to him the 400 km of these roads has been already finished.

Deputy PM says that average annual growth in cargo transportation made 10.5%, in passenger transportation â€“ 9%.

Besides, te purchasing of waggons, restoration of the roads and other works will be conducted ion accordance to State Program on Development of Railway for 2010-2014 approved by president. Total cost of the project is $ 1.2 bln.

Minister of Transport Ziya Mammadov spoke about the urgency of forum and noted that this sphere was an important for economic development.

According to him the amalgamation of Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran is conducted and the cargos will be received in 2015.

Russian Railways Vice President Vadim Morozov says the works on development of infrastructure, modernization in transport sphere have to be conducted for increasing the competitiveness in the region. He also noted that transit cargo transportation, tariff policy will be discussed in the forum.

According to him the trade balance on North-South corridor makes 25-26 mln tons. He considers the transportations on Gazvin-Rasht-Astara route more rational.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Arif Asgerov spoke about the Azerbaijanâ€™s economic development and role of railways in this sphere.