The Zangezur transport corridor as a potential driver of regional economic development

Abstract

This article examines the role of the Zangezur transport corridor in Azerbaijan’s regional economic development and the transformation of its transport and logistics system. The primary objective of the study is to analyze the potential effects of the corridor on expanding access to regional markets, reducing transportation distances, strengthening trade linkages, and improving logistics efficiency.

Within the framework of the research, the restoration of transport infrastructure in the post-conflict period and the formation of new transport routes are assessed from an economic perspective. Particular attention is paid to the integration of the Zangezur corridor with the Middle Corridor and the North–South transport routes. Based on official policy documents, state programs, and international transport concepts, the study evaluates not only the economic potential of the corridor but also the constraints associated with its practical implementation.

The findings indicate that while the Zangezur corridor offers significant opportunities for enhancing regional connectivity and increasing transit capacity, its long-term effectiveness largely depends on the mobilization of financial resources, optimization of infrastructure expenditures, and the strengthening of interstate coordination mechanisms. In this context, the corridor is considered not merely as a transport project, but as a comprehensive economic instrument contributing to the institutional development of regional cooperation.