The main goal of the Decree signed by the President titled “On additional measures related to the digitalization of activities in import-export, transit, transport, and logistics” is to improve the state governance mechanism in the field of foreign trade regulation, ensure effective coordination among government institutions, and create a digital environment based on a single access point for import-export, transit, transport, and logistics operations. The Decree also aims to establish a system for the “smart” management of cargo flows. Under this Decree, a “Single Window” information system will be created in Azerbaijan.

Commenting on the importance of the system and expectations from it, Agil Asadov, Head of division at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) and Doctor of Economic Sciences, notes that Azerbaijan’s favorable geographical location, combined with timely political decisions, has turned the country into a leading transport and transit hub in the Eurasian region. Located at the crossroads of international transport corridors, Azerbaijan has strong and long-term transport and transit potential. Today, the country has wide opportunities to gain a larger share of global cargo flows. In particular, the Middle Corridor is one of the most attractive routes for cargo transportation between China and Europe, with an annual trade volume of over 700 billion US dollars.

At the same time, in a period when many transport projects are being implemented in the region such as the China-Central Asia-West Asia corridor (often referred to as the Iran-Central Asia corridor), the India-Middle East-Europe corridor, the China-Pakistan corridor, and the Trans-Afghan railway project maintaining and increasing the attractiveness of the Middle Corridor and ensuring flexible and efficient use of Azerbaijan’s transit potential have become key challenges.

In this context, the Presidential Decree dated 15 December 2025 on the digitalization of import-export, transit, transport, and logistics activities is a necessity arising from modern challenges. Aqil Asadov emphasizes that in today’s world, one of the main areas of competition is having efficient transport and communication links. A key condition for success in this competition is the flexible and effective use of existing opportunities, as well as the active application of new technologies. From this perspective, the Decree is considered a timely and strategic decision aimed at strengthening the country’s transport and logistics potential.

Digitalization and the growing role of artificial intelligence in economic processes require faster and more efficient management of import-export and transport-logistics operations through a “Single Window” system. This includes the electronic submission of required documents such as commercial and transport documents, information on vehicles and transported goods, cargo transportation and other contracts via the Single Window system. It also enables electronic tracking of border-crossing procedures, transport rules and conditions, acceptance and response to electronic applications, tracking cargo along the entire route, and making electronic payments. As a result, a fully digital environment with a single access point will be created, and a smart cargo management system will be implemented, making the transport corridors used by Azerbaijan more attractive.

The implementation of the Decree will support faster and more transparent transport and transit processes, increase import-export activity, expand the volume of transit transportation, and ensure more efficient use of the infrastructure developed over many years.

The CAERC department head also adds that the Zangezur Corridor, which is expected to be opened in the near future, will create new and broader transport and transit opportunities. The implementation of the Decree will help effectively utilize these opportunities as well. Overall, the Presidential Decree of 15 December 2025, as a timely decision, will further facilitate local entrepreneurs’ access to foreign markets, simplify border procedures, and turn transport and transit services into one of the main sources of state budget revenues.