The development of transport

The development of transport system is of great importance for Azerbaijan Republic. Besides the infrastructures of state economy, such as energy, communication, education, and health care, the transport also plays an important role for achieving social, economic, foreign policy and other public priorities by ensuring initial demands of community life.

45.8 million tons of cargo was carries by all transport means in January-March, 2011 and this is 5.6% (2.4 million tons) more than the same period of the last year.

In that period, 16.0 million tons (growth rate 106.0%) were carried via pipeline transport, 12.1 million tons (4.4%) via oil pipelines, and 3.9 million tons or 5.49 billion cubic meters via gas pipes respectively. Via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Oil Export Pipeline, 9.2 million tons of oil or 4.5% more crude oil compared with the relevant period of the last year were exported. On the Baku-Novorossiysk export pipeline route 540 500 tons of more crude oil (20.2% compared with the last year) was exported.

In the reporting period, volume of the gas carried via the South Caucasus Pipeline on the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum route increased due to the increase of natural gas extraction in the Shahdeniz field. As a result, there was 11.0% growth in the natural gas transportation via gas pipelines.

In the first quarter of 2011, 332.0 million passenger or 6.2% more than the last year were carried by all transport means. General growth in the passenger carrying is 7.8% and 44.0% in automobile and air transport respectively.

In 2011, the amount of information and communication services in the communication sector increased 23.5% in comparison with the last year, and comprised 287.4 million manatas. The amount of communication services to people increased 24.8% and reached 213.3 million manatas. 77.9% of communication services belong to non-governmental sector.