(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 7. The Czech Republic is
looking forward develop cooperation in the railroad sector with
Azerbaijan, Jozef Sikela, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade,
told trend in an
exclusive interview.
"The construction of the Azerbaijani part of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was a peak involvement of the Czech
companies in this project. There were approximately 10 companies
from the Czech Republic participating in the project. This was a
substantial project volume-wise for our economies. And this is a
good base for developing such projects in the future," he said.
As the minister pointed out, in general, the business volume
between the two countries has increased significantly over recent
years.
"There was a huge increase observed in exports from Azerbaijan
to the Czech Republic – 145 percent. Czech exports to Azerbaijan,
in turn, were slightly lower – increasing by around 50 percent,"
the minister noted.
According to the minister, the Czech Republic is also eager to
conclude mid-term and long-term agreements with the State Oil
Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) on the gas supply from
Azerbaijan.
"Primarily, the Czech Republic is interested in getting access
to Azerbaijani gas. Your country is already known in Europe as a
reliable energy supplier. And, now, that we have managed to reduce
our supplies from Russia down to zero within 10 months, we are
rebuilding our supply chain. Here Azerbaijan can be of great
contribution, considering the positive cooperation we have already
had," he said.
Minister Sikela also noted that Azerbaijan has great potential
in the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia. Here Czech
companies can also highly contribute with their experience.
"During our talks with Azerbaijani officials we have agreed to
hold the next steering committee meeting in Baku, and we plan to
bring a big delegation of Czech businessmen with us to discuss
future opportunities for cooperation," the minister added.
Further speaking, Minister Sikela noted that there are talks
between the Azerbaijani side and one of the Czech producers of
railway and metro trains to establish cooperation.
"There is a big interest from our side to supply trains for the
new metro line in Baku," he added.
The Czech import from Azerbaijan consists of oil (nearly 25
percent of all oil import to the Czech Republic), cotton, dry
fruits, and nuts. In the first quarter of this year, trade turnover
between the two countries amounted to $293 million, of which
$270.78 million (5.49 percent) fell on export to the Czech
Republic, and $22.8 million - in imports (2.81 percent).