The delegation of the Azerbaijan–Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (APJCCI), led by Mr. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Patron-in-Chief, visited the Baku Hovsan International Trade Sea Port, one of Azerbaijan’s key modern logistics hubs located on the Caspian Sea coast near Baku. The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Rashad Dashdamirov, General Director, and Mr. Alimardan Guliyev, Deputy General Director, along with other senior management officials.
The meeting began with a detailed presentation on the port’s operations, its development vision, and the role it plays in Azerbaijan’s growing trade and logistics ecosystem. The Hovsan Port operates as part of Azerbaijan’s strategy to strengthen its position as a regional transport and logistics hub within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR), linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe. The port is a vital component of the Middle Corridor Initiative, which provides multimodal connectivity through rail, road, and maritime networks, enabling seamless cargo movement between Asia and Europe.
The hosts informed the delegation that the Hovsan Port operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, currently handling around 500 containers per month, with significant expansion plans in progress to increase throughput and storage capacity. The facility is fully integrated with Azerbaijan’s rail network through four dedicated railway lines, allowing direct transportation to inland destinations and industrial centers. The port also houses a customs terminal, cargo handling equipment, bonded warehouses, and modern IT systems that support efficient tracking and cargo management.
During the discussions, Mr. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari commended the rapid development and strategic vision behind the Hovsan Port project. He noted that the port’s infrastructure, combined with its connectivity advantages, made it an ideal gateway for Pakistani exports not only to Azerbaijan but also to the wider Caspian, Central Asian, and Eastern European markets. Mr. Bakhtawari emphasized that Pakistan, as a growing exporter of textiles, food products, surgical instruments, and industrial goods, could greatly benefit from utilizing Hovsan Port’s facilities as part of a new logistics corridor under the Pakistan–Azerbaijan Preferential Trade and Transit Agreements.
Mr. Bakhtawari proposed the allocation of a dedicated warehouse and display area for Pakistani products within the Hovsan Port complex. Such a facility, he explained, would enable Pakistani exporters to store, exhibit, and distribute their products directly in Azerbaijan, facilitating smoother access for local buyers and investors. He also suggested exploring the establishment of a small industrial or logistics cluster near the port, where Pakistani firms could set up joint manufacturing or packaging operations to take advantage of Azerbaijan’s strategic transit position and favorable investment climate. In addition, he emphasized the importance of digitalization of port operations and the adoption of real-time shipment tracking systems to enhance transparency, reduce transit delays, and improve trade facilitation between the two countries.
Responding to these proposals, Mr. Rashad Dashdamirov expressed appreciation for APJCCI’s interest and vision. He agreed to allocate space for the display and warehousing of Pakistani products at the port, providing an immediate opportunity for exporters to strengthen their commercial presence in Azerbaijan. He also welcomed the idea of developing an industrial zone near the port to attract foreign investment, including from Pakistan, and offered to explore feasible models for collaboration. The Hovsan management further shared that the port is open to strategic partnerships aimed at expanding trade volumes and logistics efficiency through shared expertise, technology, and infrastructure development.
As a result of these constructive discussions, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between APJCCI and Baku Hovsan International Trade Sea Port – OJSC, formalizing cooperation between the two institutions. The agreement establishes a framework for practical collaboration to facilitate Pakistani exporters and importers, particularly through the provision of display and storage facilities, as well as the development of trade promotion initiatives to strengthen bilateral economic relations.
The visit to Hovsan Port served as an important milestone in expanding Pakistan–Azerbaijan cooperation in logistics, transport, and trade facilitation. The port’s strategic location, multimodal connectivity, and forward-looking infrastructure plans make it a crucial gateway for enhancing Pakistan’s regional export reach and integrating both economies more deeply into the Middle Corridor trade network.