Azerbaijan Begins To Reposition Aghdam As A Belt And Road Initiative City
Historic city won from Armenia in 2020’s war will have connection to the INSTC and secure Central Azerbaijan
The construction of the Aghdam-Fuzuli highway has started in Azerbaijan, according to the Azerbaijan State Automobile & Roads Agency.
Aghdam is an historic city with emotional regional issues that has been reclaimed by Azerbaijan from Armenia in the wake of 2020’s Karabakh War. It has been extensively damaged during both Karabakh conflicts and is now being rebuilt with an aim to turn it once again into a regional hub for the Karabakh district. The road will be an important route for the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions, which will play an important role in the socio-economic development of the districts and villages that were ceded to Azerbaijan after the 2020 Karabakh war.
The foundation of the highway was laid on October 17, 2021 during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and is being carried out within “Project for the Reconstruction and Restoration of the Liberated Territories”, approved by the order of the President.
The road, 64.8 km long, will consist of four traffic lanes. There are plans to build five underground passages and three new automobile bridges on the highway complete with bus stops and related services.
The construction is being carried out by Road Operation No. 43 and No. 41 LLCs, Korpu-Bina-Tikinti and North West Construction companies, as well as Turkish Kalyon RSY Insaat Adi Ortakligi Ticari Isletmesi company.
The Aghdam-Fuzuli highway is a continuation of the Barda-Aghdam highway, and will pass through the territory of Aghdam, Aghjabadi and Fuzuli districts. It will eventually be a link with the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) which runs through Iran, north to Baku and south to the Persian Gulf. Securing this route will provide Central Azerbaijan with improved trade and security and lessen the likelihood of further regional conflict.
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Chris Devonshire-Ellis is the Chairman of Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists British and Foreign Investment into Asia and has 28 offices throughout China, India, the ASEAN nations and Russia. For strategic and business intelligence concerning China’s Belt & Road Initiative please email silkroad@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com
