The rapid progress of the service sector, as well as the growing share of services in the GDP of developed countries, is a global reality that has been confirmed. In Azerbaijan, the intensive development of the service sector has become one of the main challenges of the time. Although Azerbaijan's economy has been based on the oil and gas sector for many years, changes in the global energy market and the rapid development of ICT have made the diversification of the economy necessary. In this regard, increasing the role of the non-oil sector, including transport and logistics, is particularly important. Against the backdrop of rapid growth in international trade and the reshaping of economic relations, Azerbaijan’s transformation into a leading transport-logistics hub holds long-term prospects. The recent assessment by the prestigious international rating agency "Moody’s" confirms this perspective.

Moody’s analysis shows that Azerbaijan’s long-term economic growth will depend on reducing its reliance on the oil and gas sector and effectively utilizing its transport and logistics potential.

Aqil Asadov, Head of the division at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) and Doctor of Economics, stated that geographically, Azerbaijan is strategically located on important routes connecting Europe and Asia, including the Middle Corridor. This route involves transporting goods from Asian countries by sea through the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, and then via road and rail to Europe. Thus, Azerbaijan has a favorable geographical location to become not only a key transit hub but also a diversified logistics center.

Over the years, broad programs and projects have been developed and successfully implemented to utilize these opportunities, with special attention given to the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, such as the restoration and modernization of roads, railways, ports, and logistics centers.

Such infrastructure investments not only increase the volume of transportation but also create a wide range of multimodal effects, such as revitalizing the construction sector, expanding employment opportunities, developing industry and manufacturing sectors, increasing export potential, etc.

According to Asadov, the development of the transport and logistics sector will reduce Azerbaijan's dependence on the oil and gas sector while providing significant opportunities for the growth of logistics, transportation, services, trade, manufacturing, and export-oriented industries in the non-oil sector. This could lead to more sustainable and stable economic growth.

Transport and logistics is not only a transit function but can also play a foundational role in diversifying the structure of the economy both domestically and regionally, contributing to stable growth. Moody’s emphasizes the priority of transport and logistics services in Azerbaijan’s economic perspective in its rating, reflecting the factors mentioned above.

In its assessment conducted in December 2025, Moody’s highlights that, in the long term, Azerbaijan's economic growth will largely depend on transport and logistics services. The country’s transformation into a key part of the Middle Corridor, the expansion of transport-logistics capabilities, as well as the post-war reconstruction efforts and new opportunities created, are identified as key drivers of economic progress. In the near future, the realization of the Zangezur Corridor will provide an additional boost to the development of transport-logistics services, stimulating regional development.

The rating agency also notes that realizing the transport-logistics potential will diversify the country’s economy, attract foreign investments, and reduce dependence on the oil and gas sector, ensuring more sustainable development.

Thus, Moody’s not only focuses on current indicators but also looks at medium and long-term prospects, viewing the transport-logistics sector as a strategic pillar in Azerbaijan’s economic future. In this regard, the transport-logistics sector is of strategic importance for the country's future in terms of transit opportunities, regional infrastructure, investment attraction, and the development of the non-oil sector. The latest assessments by the international rating agency confirm this approach once again.