AD Ports Group, AZCON Holding sign MoU to explore collaboration in transport, logistics infrastructure

BAKU, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 29th Apr, 2026) AD Ports Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan Transport and Communications Holding (AZCON Holding) to explore strategic collaboration across ports, shipping, logistics, and digital trade solutions in Azerbaijan.

The MoU establishes a strategic framework for cooperation between the parties to explore investment opportunities and advance collaboration in integrated transport and logistics infrastructure, including maritime and digital solutions in Azerbaijan.

The MoU signing was witnessed by Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State; and Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; in the presence of Mohammed Al Blooshi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan; Elchin Baghirov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the UAE; and Shahin Babayev, Executive Director of AZCON Holding. The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group; and Vugar Mirzazada, Deputy Executive Director of AZCON Holding.

Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi said: “Our MoU with AZCON Holding marks a further step in advancing AD Ports Group’s corridor-focused strategy, strengthening trade links between Central Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan’s pivotal position bridging East and West offers strong opportunities, we look forward to leveraging our integrated capabilities across ports, maritime, logistics, and digital solutions to enable more efficient, connected, and commercially attractive trade routes.”

Vugar Mirzazada said: “This MoU with AD Ports Group marks an important step in exploring opportunities that can further strengthen Azerbaijan’s transport, trade and maritime ecosystem. As Azerbaijan continues to enhance its role as a strategic link between East and West, cooperation across port development, shipbuilding, logistics, digital integration and multimodal connectivity can contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of the national economy.

We see strong potential in this collaboration to support trade facilitation, improve supply chain efficiency and reinforce Azerbaijan’s position as a key logistics hub.”

This collaboration comes as the UAE-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) officially entered into force on 15 April 2026. The agreement will accelerate bilateral trade flows, create new opportunities for investments and joint-ventures, and enhance market access and global reach for exporters in both countries by eliminating or reducing tariffs on the majority of goods and services, in addition to enhancing private-sector collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs.

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with Azerbaijan has already demonstrated robust growth, underscoring the strength and resilience of this bilateral relationship. Non-oil trade grew by 31.4% over the past two years to exceed $2.2 billion in 2025.

This collaboration also aligns with Azerbaijan’s improving economic outlook. According to Fitch Solutions’ BMI, real GDP growth is forecast to reach 2.5% in 2026, up from an estimated 1.4% in 2025, with improved domestic demand, investment activity and trade expected to support the recovery, reinforcing the importance of initiatives that enhance connectivity, trade facilitation and logistics efficiency.

The MoU complements AD Ports Group’s broader focus on Central Asia, where the Group is investing in logistics, port terminals, and shipping assets to strengthen connectivity along the middle Corridor and support the movement of trade between Asia and Europe.