BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23. The British Chamber
of Commerce is ready to support Azerbaijan in the development of
artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging fields, John
Patterson (OBE), chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce’s
Azerbaijan branch, told Trend on the sidelines of the 2nd Forum on
Logistics and Oil Trade in the Caspian and Central Asian Regions in
Baku, Trend
reports.
“We are Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner largely thanks to
bp and the fact that the oil and gas sector has dominated the
country’s economy from around 1995 to the present day. Although oil
and gas revenues no longer account for the same share of
Azerbaijan’s GDP as before, bp and British businesses have
maintained an active presence in the market since the mid-1990s,”
he said.
According to Patterson, the British Chamber of Commerce in
Azerbaijan is working to develop cooperation between British and
local businesses, striving to move beyond the oil and gas sector
alone.
“We remain actively involved in the energy sector—through bp and
British contractors operating in the country. This sector remains
an important part of our economic engagement. At the same time, a
key factor in Azerbaijan’s long-term economic success is the
gradual diversification of the economy and a reduction in
dependence on oil and gas. In this context, we strive to support
the development of new areas, including education, artificial
intelligence, and other technological sectors,” he added.
According to Patterson, the financial sector also plays an
important role, especially given that London remains one of the
world’s leading financial centers.
In addition, he touched on the transport sector and the
significance of the Middle Corridor.
“The Middle Corridor takes on particular significance. Its
importance is evident in practice: when disruptions occur on other
routes, the significance of alternative transport routes passing
through this region increases. For freight transport between China
and Europe or in the opposite direction, rail routes along the
Middle Corridor have the potential to be faster and more reliable
compared to maritime transport, which follows longer and more
vulnerable routes. “However, significant work remains to be done to
fully realize the corridor’s potential, including a feasibility
study and infrastructure development,” Patterson explained.
He believes that another challenge is the fluctuating water
level of the Caspian Sea, which requires adaptation of transport
and logistics infrastructure, including the development of shipping
and other modes of transport.
“Overall, the development of the Middle Corridor is seen as a
way to strengthen regional connectivity and create a more resilient
transport system that is less dependent on specific geopolitical
risks,” Patterson concluded.
