What to read after Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railroad: Future Opportunities and Prospects?

After centuries of neglect, the land transport corridors connecting Asia and Europe

are on the brink of a rebirth. From practically nothing, a revived network of these

land corridors is likely to lead to a considerable share of the freight revenues being

generated by the increased trade between Asia and Europe. That is why there is

fierce competition among the major players for control in shaping the Asia-Europe

railway transport corridors. However, there are also new and exciting possibilities

for cooperation among the various players.

We will extensively examine and evaluate the transport corridors linking Asia and

Europe. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project will be assessed from the perspectives

of the three countries involved: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. It has been shown

that the railroad will economically strengthen the region and better integrate the

three host countries into international transport corridors. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars

railroad will certainly play a key role in helping to revive the Silk Road connection,

thereby creating common interests and facilitating the transformation of the

region. The BTK transport corridor will not only stimulate the economies of the

countries involved but help wean them their off oil-dependence and restore their

rightful place as major commercial hubs along the once-legendary Silk Road. The

attraction of direct foreign investment and establishment of partnerships between

the public and private sectors are key issues that will be explored in-depth in this

book. By 2025, the region is expected to become a prosperous financial sector and

transit area; a comprehensive strategy to that end which incorporates the principles

of sustainable growth is being formulated by the countries involved.