Expert: Creation of AZCON will increase efficiency in transport sector in Azerbaijan

The creation of Azerbaijan Transport and Communication Holding (AZCON) will lead to more efficient operation of the transport sector, transport expert Rauf Aghamirzayev said in a statement to Report.

According to the expert, systematic measures have been implemented in recent years for the development of this sector in the country, in terms of sustainability, reliability, safety, and compliance with environmental protection standards: "Transport and communication sectors are of special importance for the country. AZCON was created for the effective operation of these sectors. The goal is a sustainable and competitive activity. This will make the work of state institutions more centralized. Modern bus terminal complexes have been built in Baku and regions to ensure comfortable and safe transportation of passengers and organize modern transport services. Bus routes in Baku are being put out to tender. Old, unusable buses are being removed from service and replaced with new ones. A total of 160 electric buses have been brought to the country. With AZCON's activities, this trend will accelerate."

According to the expert, urban mobility creates economic activity: "If this movement becomes faster, economic activity will increase accordingly, it will have a positive contribution to the city economy and country economy, and it is the transport institutions that drive this economy. AZCON will ensure functionality for them."

Agamirzayev noted that coordinated operation of international transport, implementation of effective measures against modern challenges, determination of priorities, and efficient operation of the transport system capable of providing transportation on a more global scale and in large volumes are important issues in ensuring economic and trade relations and free access to goods and services: "President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that institutions that have been operating with subsidies will operate without subsidies from now on. AZCON includes state enterprises such as Azerbaijan Airlines, Azerbaijan Railways, and Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC, which generate income. The holding's activities will lead to more efficient operation of these organizations. Because Azerbaijan has the advantage of forming proposals for different types of transport."

"As a result of work done to organize the transport sector more efficiently in the country, the total volume of cargo transportation has increased. Thus, while 59.1 million tons of cargo was transported by road from our country in 2003, this figure reached 134.2 million tons in 2023," he added.