Azerbaijani infrastructure ideally prepared to activate INSTC - Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan

Jun 23, 2021

NEW DELHI, 23 June 2021: HE Mr B Vanlalvawna, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan today said, "32 containers have departed from Helsinki en route to Indian port of Nava Sheva using the INSTC route that travels through Russia, crosses Azerbaijan and transit Iran to reach India."

Addressing the webinar on 'Activating International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): Role of Azerbaijan - organised by FICCI, jointly with Embassy of India in Baku, Azerbaijan, Mr Vanlalvawna highlighted the various contributions made by Azerbaijan towards the operationalisation of INSTC. "Azerbaijan is one of the most prepared countries in infrastructure including rail-road lines from Astara, Azerbaijan to Russia to establish enhanced connectivity," he added.

Azerbaijan is strategically located and plays a crucial role in the connectivity of the INSTC route, noted Mr Vanlalvawna.

Mr Orkhan Mustafayev, Deputy Head of United Transit Operator Department, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan talked about INSTC as an important corridor in terms of competitiveness. He alluded on application of a one window principle at INSTC and invited important stakeholders in PPP partnerships, investment by industry and government for the development of INSTC.

Mr Shankar Shinde, MD, GLOBAL EXPRESS MULTILOGISTICS PVT LTD and Chairman Elect - Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India stated, "In spite of US Sanctions, we have been able to have seamless movement of goods because of TIR convention and government of India initiatives."

He drew attention to Azerbaijan as an important player in INSTC as it is strategically located and opens opportunities not only on the north south corridor, but also the eastern corridor.  He noted that active participation from stakeholders is important and will help address challenges from time to time.

Mr G Ravi Kumar, Executive Director (DL & Coastal), CONCOR India highlighted that CONCOR India has moved more than 2000 containers in 5 months for Iran and Iraq mostly in commodities including rice, tiles, marbles, etc.

He suggested concerns related to dispatching of materials, commodities under sanctions and goods that can be sent across borders as key issues to be addressed by the government for seamless movement of goods on the INSTC route.

Mr Natig Jafarov, Director, ADY Container highlighted that the Azerbaijan route is 20 percent cheaper than alternative overland route and twice faster than the deep-sea route via Suez Canal. He also drew attention to an alternate route called the International South-West Transport Corridor to enhance goods flow between India and Persian Gulf, Black Sea region and European countries.

Mr Yusif Ramazanov, Head of Logistics Department, ADY Express LLC spoke on various projects and shipment capacities undertaken by the ADY Express over the years.

Mr Nijat Shabanli, Marketing Department from Port of Baku, Azerbaijan provided important insights on the port of Baku and its development of trade over the years with India and other countries.