Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railroad: The Iron Ground for the Silk Road

Book excerpt: After centuries-long neglect, land transportation corridors connecting Asia and Europe are on the brink of a re-awakening. From a level of practically zero, a revived network of these land corridors is likely to garner a considerable share of the freight revenues emanating from increasing trade between Asia and Europe. Therefore, there is competition among major players for control in shaping of the Asia-Europe railway transportation corridors. However, possibilities for cooperation exist as well. In this book, transportation corridors joining Asia and Europe are examined and evaluated at a general level. Moreover, the Baku-Tblisi-Kars railway project is assessed from the perspectives of the 3 countries involved: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Further, it has been proved that the road will strengthen regionalism and will increase the prospects for the three host countries to become a part of the corridors that are being developed globally. Besides, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway road will play a key role in helping to revive the Silk Road connection shaping common vision and facilitating in transforming the region. The BTK transport corridor will be able to stimulate the development of non-oil economy reviving the non-oil trade and economic activities in the region restoring the historical position of the region as a commercial hub along the ancient silk ways. By 2025, this region is expected to become prosperous financial sector for which comprehensive strategy is being formulated by the regional countries for sustainable growth.