EIB considers railway project in Nakhchivan and regional connectivity

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is studying new investment opportunities in Azerbaijan's transport, energy and digital infrastructure, including possible financing of a railway project in Nakhchivan. This was stated by Stella Renita, head of the EIB's regional representative office for the South Caucasus, at the EU–Azerbaijan business forum in Baku.

According to Renita, at this stage the bank is studying opportunities in the transport connectivity sector, as well as several specific projects. Among them, she named the railway in Nakhchivan.

"At this stage, the bank is studying investment opportunities in the connectivity sector, as well as several specific projects, such as the railway in Nakhchivan," Renita said.

Energy and digital projects

According to Renita, the EIB's approach to connectivity goes beyond traditional transport infrastructure and also covers energy networks and digital communications.

Among the initiatives under consideration is a digital connectivity project in the Black Sea region, the aim of which is to strengthen telecommunications links and digital infrastructure across a wider region. The bank is also studying possible participation in the "Energy Corridor Caspian – Black Sea" project, intended to simplify the transfer of electricity from renewable sources and strengthen energy links between the Caspian region and European markets.

Private sector support

Renita noted that the EIB continues to support private sector development in Azerbaijan through financing mechanisms implemented jointly with local commercial banks. According to her, about 120 Azerbaijani companies have already received financing with EIB support.

The bank's interest in the railway in Nakhchivan and in cross-regional infrastructure initiatives, according to Renita, reflects the current assessment of investment opportunities aimed at developing transport, energy and digital connectivity. The projects remain under consideration, and no final investment or financing decisions have been announced at the forum.

Source: azernews.az