We try to use the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line more effectively. Compared to January 2020, the number of wagons operating via this route increased 2.8 times up to 344 wagons, the volume of cargo – 2.4-times to 10,194 tonnes in April, said the Turkish Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan, Report informs with reference to Turkish media.
They intensively keep contact with Azerbaijani and Georgian partners via videoconferencing and phone: "Current situation makes all countries seek alternatives for continuation of the trade. We are working with our partners in order to meet daily needs continuously and effectively."
BTK was launched on October 30, 2017. The railway line provides a connection between the railway networks of Asia and Europe. This is the shortest way not only among the three countries but also between Asia and Europe. BTK reduces the time for cargo transportations by more than twice.
The railway line simplifies the access of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan to Europe and world markets. The 504 km-part of the BTK, which is 846 km in length, passes through Azerbaijan, 263 km through Georgia, and 79 km through Turkey.
This route is planned to carry 5 million tonnes of cargo in the first stage, 17 million tonnes in the next steps and larger volumes in the following stages.