Baku:Azerbaijan is recognized as a key leader in regional cooperation and coordination, according to World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, Rolande Simone Pryce. She spoke during a plenary session titled ‘Realizing CAMCA’s Development Potential Political Foundations of Regional Cooperation’ at the CAMCA 2026 Regional Forum in Baku.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, Pryce highlighted the World Bank’s new report assessing the development potential of the Middle Corridor through 2040. The report suggests that increasing investments in infrastructure and services could triple trade volumes and reduce travel time by half along the corridor by 2040.
Pryce emphasized that investing in trade facilitation, service delivery, and cross-border cooperation could lead to even greater results. The projections indicate that trade volumes could quadruple, travel time could be reduced by up to two-thirds, GDP across the nine countries in the report could rise by 3.3 percent, and 22 million jobs could be created by 2040.
The primary goal of the Middle Corridor, according to the World Bank official, is not just to establish a transit route, but to promote economic activity, interregional trade, and business development along the corridor. Azerbaijan’s significant role in these efforts was particularly noted, showcasing its leadership in cooperation and coordination efforts within the region.
Pryce acknowledged the progress made in the region, including Azerbaijan’s contributions, and stressed the importance of advancing their shared vision to maximize the benefits. She remarked on the transformation of the region since her arrival in 2023 and encouraged further ambition to achieve even greater outcomes.