Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Explore Enhanced Cooperation in Port Infrastructure Development
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have expressed their readiness to broaden collaboration in financing projects focused on the development of port infrastructure, utilizing the joint investment fund. The announcement was made during the 20th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission held in Astana on Tuesday.
Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, and Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Marat Karabayev, discussed opportunities to expand the transit of Kazakh oil through various routes in Azerbaijan. Additionally, the two nations explored the establishment of a corridor for exporting ‘green energy’ from Central Asia to Europe.
Ahead of the commission meeting, the ministers delved into expanding the range of export-import goods and prioritizing projects in energy, investment, transport, logistics, and other sectors.
The 20th meeting focused on trade-economic cooperation, covering energy, transport, logistics, industry, construction, agriculture, healthcare, food security, space exploration, digitalization, IT, science, education, culture, youth policy, tourism, sport, and ecology.
Minister Parviz Shahbazov emphasized the significance of transit routes for transporting Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan. He highlighted joint efforts in utilizing the potential of the Middle Corridor and laying a fiber-optic communication line along the Caspian Sea bottom.
The meeting addressed the close cooperation within the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council, upcoming council meetings, and initiatives to enhance trade and economic cooperation. This includes attracting Kazakh companies to the Alat Free Economic Zone in Azerbaijan.
The Commission also discussed the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Investment Fund, joint production enterprises in industrial and technological parks, construction of a grain terminal in Alat Port, cooperation in shipbuilding, and opportunities for Kazakhstani companies in projects in liberated territories of Azerbaijan.
Both sides praised the construction of the Kurmangazy Creative Development Center in Fizuli and outlined plans for a hospital. The agenda included discussions on cooperation in the oil and gas sector, joint projects, increasing the volume of Kazakh oil transit via different routes, and boosting freight traffic along the Middle Corridor.
Under the Digital Silk Road project, the nations agreed to complete the construction of an underwater fiber-optic cable line along the Caspian Sea bottom. The meeting also addressed preparations for the technical and economic feasibility study of an electricity transmission route from Central Asia to Europe. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan expressed readiness to cooperate in the renewable energy sector and energy efficiency issues.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a protocol, and the next session of the Commission is scheduled for 2025 in Baku.
