“Azerbaijan is investing heavily in transportation infrastructure, and Czech companies have the technology and experience to succeed here. We don’t want to limit ourselves to one-time deliveries. We offer long-term cooperation, service, training for specialists, and the involvement of local partners. The government’s role is to open doors for Czech companies and help them gain access to specific projects,” says Minister of Transportation Ivan Bednárik.
“Competition in the local market is fierce, especially from Chinese manufacturers. Nevertheless, I believe that Czech companies can succeed here. It’s difficult for us to compete on price, but we have other strengths. We offer partnerships with local companies through joint ventures, the relocation of part of our production directly to the country, high-quality service, and training for local workers. The recent visit by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Karel Havlíček also opened doors for us, and we are now building on that,” says Radek Špicar, vice president of the Confederation of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic, who is leading the business delegation accompanying the Minister of Transport.
One of the biggest opportunities is the modernization of the Baku metro. The Škoda Group is bidding to supply new trainsets and, in addition to the vehicles themselves, is also offering the option of partially localizing production in Azerbaijan, collaborating with local industry, and training technicians through the Škoda Academy project. Czech companies are also interested in other upcoming projects in urban and rail transportation.
“Czech companies have a lot to offer Azerbaijan—from trains and metro trainsets to safety systems and comprehensive solutions in the field of civil aviation. Czech exports to this country exceeded seven billion crowns last year, and I see potential for further growth. That is why I support the bid by Pilsen-based Škoda Transportation in the tender for new metro trainsets in Baku. I see further opportunities in rail and urban transportation as well as in aviation,” said Minister of Transportation Ivan Bednárik.
During talks with Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transportation Rashad Nabiyev, Bednárik followed up on the memorandum of cooperation signed in May of this year. He presented a proposal to identify priority projects, designate contact persons, and launch expert consultations involving both government institutions and companies. With Mikayil Jabbarov’s First Deputy Minister of Economy, Mr. Elnur Aliyev, Bednárik focused on specific projects by Czech companies and their greater involvement in the Azerbaijani market.
Czech companies want to get involved in the transport of goods between Asia and Europe
The minister discussed possibilities for cooperation on the modernization of rail transport with representatives of Azerbaijan’s ADY Railways. Czech companies can offer rolling stock, components, safety and telecommunications technologies, as well as solutions for freight transport.
The talks also focused on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, known as the Middle Corridor. This route connects Europe with Central Asia and China via the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus, bypassing Russian territory. The Czech side’s priority is to support the corridor’s reliability and capacity, improve connections between railways, ports, and logistics centers, and promote the use of Czech technologies. This also opens up an opportunity for the participation of the largest Czech rail carrier, ČD Cargo; therefore, the minister was accompanied at the meetings by Radim Ječný, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ČD Cargo.
Czech Technologies for Azerbaijani Airports
During talks with representatives of AZAL Airlines, the minister discussed the possibility of expanding direct flights between Prague and Baku and the prospect of a route to Karlovy Vary. Another topic was a regular cargo service between Ostrava and Baku, which Ostrava Airport is currently negotiating with Silk Way West Airlines.
Minister Bednárik also expressed his support for ERA’s activities. The company’s air traffic control system has been in use at Heydar Aliyev International Airport since 2012. ERA is working to modernize the system and is offering technology for the planned cargo airport in Alat. “We’re not starting from scratch in the aviation sector. Czech technologies are already in use in Azerbaijan, and we want to build on these successes. I see further opportunities for cooperation in airport technologies, aircraft maintenance, training of specialists, and the development of passenger and cargo connections between the two countries,” added Minister Bednárik.
The economic diplomacy mission also included a business forum focused on transportation and connectivity, as well as a technical visit to a railway station. The mission, co-organized by the Confederation of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic, continues with meetings in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.